Here's What I Know Right Now:
I hope this blog finds everyone well or making progress towards well. No other way to go about it, the current climate and restrictions have us all out of sorts. I’m no politician or doctor, so I won’t get medical or political about the situation, but I sure hope things are trending towards keeping you, your families, and the world safe.
While it seems so tiny, in comparison to a pandemic, wrestling is an important part of our lives. I know I’ve had to get creative and mentally-tough about gaining knowledge and becoming a better coach. Did you know there’s such a thing as a Double Russian Tie (2 on 2)? Me either, but I sure do now. We have so many resources at our fingertips. There has never been more technology and knowledge available to us. If you or your athlete are looking for resources, feel free to reach out. I can always find a wrestling research assignment to include in their enrichment.
MN/USA met last week. USAW met last week. I think MN/USA has done a great job of communicating those things out to their membership. I’m not sure what’s been sent to members, board members, or out on social media, so I thought I’d take the time to relay what I’ve heard and share what minimal future planning I’ve allowed my brain to wander off to.
MN/USA Tournaments and Chartered Club Practices have been cancelled through April 30th. With many of these workouts taking place in schools, it is an impossibility for our club anyway.
MN/USA State Freestyle & Greco Tournament has been postponed indefinitely.
Northern Plains Regional FS/GR Tournament has been postponed indefinitely.
I have not received any communication on Duals/Fargo. Obviously with the above developments, what the qualifying and competition look like will drastically change, should it even take place.
And here’s where I’m at, we’re at, and where my mind has drifted off to… Currently, I’ve been trying to connect to athletes and families about their personal choices for activities, checking in. Many alumni are home from colleges closing and have reached out. We’ve conducted a couple Zoom meetings to just shoot the breeze. I’ve tried to get that info out as much as I can to athletes without posting it publicly (to make sure it is for us and our needs), but if you or your athlete is looking to connect, please reach out by text or social media message. We’re not snobs… We’re just trying to play it safely. I’m no Zoom expert. These are usually pretty spontaneous, as well. Last night’s Zoom discussion began because an alumni and I wanted to watch Wrestlemania together.
I’d love to give everyone a set plan, but again, not a doctor or politician. While I normally have an inkling or conspiracy, this situation truly leaves me dumbfounded. IF we get allowed back in the schools at some point this summer, and IF the government, USAW, MN/USA, and our hosting schools allow, I’d like to get some sort of training cycle in. A lot of IF’s involved there. I’m sure someone is reading this and thinking I’m an idiot for even having this idea, and in rebuttal: Please read the first sentence of this paragraph, again. I’m trying to get creative about timelines and a culminating “event”. Journeyman World Classic (16U FS competition with foreign competitors in NY) and their Folkstyle event are merged for the fall, reportedly… I’m just saying. Or, maybe we do a one-month cycle that’s a bit more intensive and fast-tracked before fall sports start up. IF we get back in the room, we will tailor our plans to what our athletes need and what they desire to achieve at the time. Training plans will alter with guidance from USAW, MN/USA and our Government.
Stay safe. Stay connected. Information, as always, will be forwarded through our Twitter and Facebook.
-Cody Buchanan