This past weekend I officiated the 1A - 1 Regional (same as Ohio Districts) at Bolles HS in Jacksonville, Fl. I have cried on the mat before, as a competitor but never as an official until this past Saturday. Set the stage; I am the assistant official during this match. Consi semifinal, winner goes to state, loser home. A very tight match ends 4-3, however had thereof been one more second a reversal would have been gained but time expired. The official takes the wrestlers to the center of the mat for the handshake and arm raising. That is when it happened.

As the two wrestlers are removing their ankle bands the defeated wrestler starts to say something to the official. I move in thinking of course it is going to be something bad, but what happened next still chokes me up. This young man who was just defeated, tears streaming down his face says to the official and myself "Mr Official, please, I've worked too hard and spent too much time in the hospital receiving chemo to lose this match"! I am stunned, without thinking I put my arm around this young man and put my head right to his ear and said "Son, you have nothing to be ashamed of as you wrestled your butt off. Unfortunately someone has to lose. However you are winning the bigger battle, life. Walk off this mat with your head held high"! Tears are now in my eyes! His coach thanks myself and the official and we quickly move on to the next match as both the mat official and I are feeling that!

After the tournament I had a chance to sit down with the young man and his father. What a pleasure it was. This young man is an inspiration. His name is Travis Hinsey from Wakulla HS in Florida.

Thank you for that very touching story! Nuff said.

Wow sounds like he has already won the biggest match of his life! Thanks for sharing. Travis keep fighting!

Being a cancer survivor myself, I love hearing about kids winning the big battle! Keep fighting Travis!

Having a child who battled cancer that story hits close to home...but how inspiring. Best of luck to that young man.

It is ironic how sometimes our perspective changes almost instantly when we discover just one small piece of information.

Thank you to this student athlete for providing the rest of us an example how to overcome life's adversities.

THE4RINGZ;680251 wrote:It is ironic how sometimes our perspective changes almost instantly when we discover just one small piece of information.

Thank you to this student athlete for providing the rest of us an example how to overcome life's adversities.

Just this. Wow.

Where is that D@*# "LIKE" button!

Thanks for sharing

Wow. Brings you a reality check. Best of luck to you travis. You are allready a champion

Having lost someone and other loved ones battle cancer, this hits close to home. A true inspiration and puts what is really important, LIFE, into perspective.

Thanks for sharing this story! Travis will surely continue to be an inspiration off the mat as he's already dealt with more emotions than most kids will the rest of their lives. Congratulations Travis and keep fighting! Hey fab was he a senior?

Fab1b;680065 wrote:This past weekend I officiated the 1A - 1 Regional (same as Ohio Districts) at Bolles HS in Jacksonville, Fl. I have cried on the mat before, as a competitor but never as an official until this past Saturday. Set the stage; I am the assistant official during this match. Consi semifinal, winner goes to state, loser home. A very tight match ends 4-3, however had thereof been one more second a reversal would have been gained but time expired. The official takes the wrestlers to the center of the mat for the handshake and arm raising. That is when it happened.

As the two wrestlers are removing their ankle bands the defeated wrestler starts to say something to the official. I move in thinking of course it is going to be something bad, but what happened next still chokes me up. This young man who was just defeated, tears streaming down his face says to the official and myself "Mr Official, please, I've worked too hard and spent too much time in the hospital receiving chemo to lose this match"! I am stunned, without thinking I put my arm around this young man and put my head right to his ear and said "Son, you have nothing to be ashamed of as you wrestled your butt off. Unfortunately someone has to lose. However you are winning the bigger battle, life. Walk off this mat with your head held high"! Tears are now in my eyes! His coach thanks myself and the official and we quickly move on to the next match as both the mat official and I are feeling that!

After the tournament I had a chance to sit down with the young man and his father. What a pleasure it was. This young man is an inspiration. His name is Travis Hinsey from Wakulla HS in Florida.

Please pass this on to Travis Hinsey Fab1b....Believe it or not, you're already a champion to the Buckeye state. Good luck to you Travis.....kick butt and take names.

deter1;683646 wrote:Thanks for sharing this story! Travis will surely continue to be an inspiration off the mat as he's already dealt with more emotions than most kids will the rest of their lives. Congratulations Travis and keep fighting! Hey fab was he a senior?

He is a Jr.

Awesome story

Wanted to bring this back as this young man just finished 2nd in his region (same one I again officiated) to advance to this weekend's state championship tournament. I had a chance to speak with him a few times this year and was able to speak with him this weekend after he won his semifinal. We shared last year's story as well. Just a great story all round here!

Best of luck to him! I hope he tears it up!

The sport never stops teaching us all by revealing those truly courageous people inthe world.

such a great thread, a reread throughout the season as attitudes require adjustment and perspectives need reminded!
please keep us posted on Travis state run!

Travis lost his first match 11-6 hoping he can wrestle his way back to the podium

Beautiful story best of luck to Travis.

Won his second match by fall

Won 3rd match in consi qtr

Lost his consi qtr. Good luck to this fine young man the rest of his journey!

Very great story. Thanks for sharing. Puts in perspective the bigger picture.