by Duncan Taylor

Created on: November 27, 2008

"Will all students who are interested in wrestling for the Rebels, please report to the grappling room." Coach Wilbur Hunt announced over Perry County's out-dated public announcement system. "The informational meeting led by myself will start in ten minutes."

The meeting was being held at an earlier time than it usually was. Coach Hunt knew this year would be leaps and bounds harder in defending their sixth straight Nebraska State Wrestling Championship. Because they had been dominated by upperclassmen the past two years, winning then was easy; but now they only had three experienced wrestlers and numerous inexperienced or new wrestlers. Perry County was not ready to let another school take their title and Coach Hunt was doing all he could to stop it; prepare early.

"I am glad to see that all of you are interested in joining our wrestling team." announced the head coach promptly ten minutes after his intercom announcement. "This year will be a rebuilding and learning year for most of us in this room, except of course for Geoff Kingston and Ken Rowdy. Each of them will be seeking an individual championship, coming off disappointments from last year's state tournament."

Each of the 30 wrestlers looking upon Coach Hunt could tell he was dedicated to this great sport. The handful of grapplers that knew him noticed how he still was wearing his game face, which seemed to never leave his face. Although his future team was getting bored from the meeting, none dared to cause a distraction. Maybe this was because they feared the short, stocky, bald-headed man who they soon would be spending every waking moment with.

"Practice will begin next week." Mr. Wilbur Hunt said with dedication and anxiety in his voice. "Anybody who misses a practice for a reason other than being deathly sick will be running the stairs until your tongue hangs out. Be ready for hard work, conditioning, and to dedicate your lives to my sport."

With that, the speech ended and all the athletes were dismissed to return to their class. Most of the prospective athletes hurried back to class, but two however sat where they had for the past 30 minutes. Geoff Kingston and Ken Rowdy, who had wrestled for Coach Hunt since their junior high years, wanted to continue their conversation with Coach Hunt. Although it was never shown, they both knew Wilbur liked them better than any wrestler he had ever coached in his twenty-three year career.

"Do I have a chance of doing better than I did last year?" Geoff asked inquisitively

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