This Week in Wrestling #11: 01/26-02/01
Konnichiwa Everyone.
Before I get started, I admit that “hello” (or more accurately, “good afternoon”) is the only word in japanese that I know. I took latin in high school and espanol in college…and pretty much stunk at both despite getting an A in each (big assist to Fr. Garrettt and Prof. Billy Thompson). However, the normal greeting for this journal was getting a little bit on the stale side. Hence, the reason for the switch up. Next week, I’ll probably do the intro in german, italian, or possibly farsi (if I can find a translation on yahoo). Anyhow, this is not “This Week in Language Lab.” Therefore, I’ll shut up and start talking about wrestling. The HU/Ohio State dual seems like as good a place as any to begin. Sit back and enjoy !!!
Even in defeat, I’d be lying if did not say that Sunday’s effort against Ohio State was by far one of the proudest I have ever been of my alma mater’s wrestling team. In fact, following the 19-13 loss, I immediately added the match to the list of my top-10 all-time Hofstra moments. It trails only (in particular order) the win over #2 Lehigh a few years ago, watching my friend pitch the HU softball team to the CAA title our freshmen year, my commencement (although, the keynote speaker was horrible), and perhaps meeting Taryne Mowatt (ESPY Award Winning Pitcher for the University of Arizona) at the 2008 NCAA Softball Hempstread Regional. God, she is damn hot !!!
While I certainly would have preferred to have seen the Pride knock off another top-10 team this season (joining then #7 Penn State who HU defeated in the opening dual of the year), the last five days or so of reflection have taught me that you don’t need to score more points than your opponents than to call yourselves winners. All week, I read on the miscell. national forums how this dual could get ugly for the Pride. No one, with the exception of you, the loyal Long Island wrestling community, were seemingly giving Hofstra much of a chance. However, rather than accepting the fate that the so called experts had for them, Tom Shiflett’s team decided to fight. For 70 minutes, 4,200 seconds, the young men in Blue and Gold gave every ounce of effort that they had in their bodies. And, when all was said and done, that determination and commitment to a common goal almost paid off. The spirit that both teams put on display last weekend were a testament to the three people that HU honored during intermission of the dual—Teague Ryan, Chief Ray Downey, Rudy Fiorvanti. All three would have been proud of the way both teams left their collective guts on the mat. I said it in my wrap-up article a few days ago and I’ll say it again, there were no losers on Sunday. The wrestlers, the coaches, and more than anybody else, the fans all won this past Sunday.
I never met Teague Ryan. This is one of the few regrets that I have when reflecting upon my involvement with the sport of amateur wrestling. Yet, on one November day in 2005, I felt that I knew him better than any one stranger possibly could. I was sitting in Coach Ryan’s office talking about the prospects for the upcoming season, and somehow, the discussion turned to a chat about Teague. As I think back, I believe the catalyst may have been a word association game about then freshmen, Joe Rovelli, Charlie Griffin, and Dave Tomasette, where Ryan described the latter as “Christian.” When I asked for clarification, Tom went into detail about how since the tragedy, he himself had found the presennce of God in his life and how what has made the loss of his son even managable for him and Lynette was the fact that they knew in their hearts that Teague was now in a better place. After doing nothing but listen to Coach Ryan talk about his son for the next hour straight (I could have listened to him speak all day if not for the fact that I had a Sociology of Feminism Class), I have no doubt that his assessment of where his son currently rests is 100 percent spot on. When I am called from this Earth, I look forward to finally getting to meet Teague. He has been a source of inspiration to me to a degree beyond words.
Having already written all of the aforementioned, I am sure it will come as no surprise to hear me say that I can think of no one more deserving of being the namesake of the new HU wrestling facility than Teague Ryan. The longer his name is associated with Hofstra University and its wrestling program, the better it will be for all parties with a vested interest in the success of each. I plan to do my part by donating to the new project. I sincerely hope that you all will join me. You have always struck me as wonderful people who genuinely care about one another.
Speaking of very special people, Sunday also reminded me of how fortunate I am to be in the position that I am as a staff writer/Editor at LHW. While I certainly enjoy writing, it is hardly the part of the job that I rejoice in the most. Because writing was always a talent that came easy to me, doing it has never been a source of satisfaction….What I find most rewarding about doing the live coverage is that I get the opportunity to meet and speak with so many incredibly friendly and supportative people. In this particular case, the person whose hand I was finally able to shake was Tamara Liguori, mother of 2x NYS Champion and future Harvard Crimson wrestler, Paul. Mrs. Liguori and myself have exchanged several messages on the forums over the last year. And, through it all, she has always been one of the most positive and encouraging people with regards to my writings. It is people like her that make me want to do what I do. Being a voice of the people only works when you know that the people appreciate the gesture. Individuals like Tamara, George Dlugolonski, Jason Bross, Al Clark, Brian McGuinty, among the several others hold a special place in my heart for taking the time to make it known to me that my efforts do matter to them…If you have not already done so, I implore you to stop down at press row and say hello. While I can be guilty of suffering from tunnel vision during my coverage, I will always find an available moment to shake a hand, give a hug, or just chat about wrestling. ALL ARE WELCOME !!!
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