The Ricci's in Arizona: wrestling

We got off to a late start with wrestling this year. By the time we realized it was going, it was just about over. Sammy wanted to try it out, so we did. We squeezed in 2 of the tournaments we did last year. Sammy did really well. The first tournament he won the first one. All the videos I have are too long to publish or of me chasing around Eli and JT while I am trying to video him wrestling, so the pictures are going to have to do.

Here he is in the first tournament.

YAY! ANother medal!

The 2nd tournament was a little tougher. The boy he struggled with last year was at this tournament. Last year, he came out on top.. 2-1 wins. However, this little boy has been going to major tournaments since October (like I said, we came in a little late). This kid even went to TEXAS for a tournament. Needless to say, Sammy had his work cut out for him. He didn't win. But he learned from it and he still wants to wrestle so we are proud of him!!

This is the match he won... he pinned this little guy. The problem with these tournaments is that the levels are soooo different. One time you get someone who is new and the next the kid was bred to wrestle! Sammy is somewhere in between!

Overall that tournament was rough, but he still wanted to go to Prescott to the Rocky Mountain National Tournament. This had wrestlers from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah and Texas! It was a totally new experience for Sam. He did well!! He ended up wrestling up due to his weight in the 7-9 rookie division ... kids who have been wrestling for 2 and under years.

Here he is a little spec in the sea of wrestlers... he has the grey shirt on.

One of his matches.

And... he took 5th place! We were very proud! It was a LONG day! We didn't leave until 7 and we started at 9! Not an easy feat for a 6 year old (not to mention a 4 and 1 year old!) but he did it and he was happy!