Katelyn Guth

On days like this, the temptation is to make the obligatory "not what we came for" post. I've spoke to you guys on this before. There is an inherent danger in life to have a singular purpose. It's a risk that athletes and coaches at the highest level take. Heck, they embrace it. There are 18 open level wrestlers left who still have a shot at heading to Paris to represent the USA in the Olympic Games. Everyone else came up short. That's the way it works. Some of the group outside of the "18" are amongst the most decorated athletes in international history. That's the way it works. But if fate is a cruel mistress, PERSPECTIVE is its slightly less fickle step cousin in-law. And that's what you lean into when you didn't "get what you want." As it important as outcomes are, they are superficial rewards. They are the BEST superficial rewards, but there are other things that the "losers" can walk away with. The gift of perspective is a gift you really don't want at the time. But later, you are grateful for it. A bit like some relative you know giving you a stock, or a bond for Christmas. Toys and trinkets come and go. Perspective lasts forever- even if you don't see the immediate value. To be clear- I wanted to win this weekend. I wanted the athletes I coach, or have coached to be among the 18 headed to Paris. But I want some other things, too... - I want to have the chance to reflect on my failures and move forward in meaningful ways with knew found knowledge - I want to model grace in victory, and class in defeat for my athletes, my children and anyone watching. - I want my athletes to feel as though they belong to something bigger than themselves - I want my athletes to be lifelong ambassadors for our sport - I want them to feel they learned something from me besides wrestling. - I want them to love what they do when they get the results they want, and to love it nonetheless when they don't The more you want out of this journey, the more likely you are to get it Remember that.