Cutter update and buddy.

So many of you have asked that I keep you updated on Cutter and his wrestling. Well here is your latest update. He wrestled again this past weekend. Cutter ended up 5th place out of 10 kids. He won his first match by pin fall in 21 seconds. The second match ended rather quickly. He pinned the kid in 8 seconds. I am not kidding, 8 seconds! His third match was a bit more competitive. This match was to go to the championship bout. The match went all 3 rounds and unfortunately, Cut came out behind 6-4. He kept his emotions in check, but was disappointed he lost. His 4th match was to advance to the 3rd place bout. It was a very good match, but again Cut came up short, lost 8-6. After this match, we had to go outside for a bit and have a good cry. He was really upset about losing that one. His last match was for 5th place. This match was a rematch from last week. If you remember, he lost a match last week 11-7. What I left out of the details last time was it was a girl who beat him. He simply would not engage with her last week. I have taught him not to beat on girls. Very strange having to wrestle girls. When I figured out who he was wrestling, I told him who it was. He just looked at me and said, "I am winning this time." He attacked this little girl this time. He just went ahead and wrestled her hard. This little girl is tough. Make no mistake about it, she knows what she is doing. Cutter had her on points, but got the pin anyway in the 3rd round. He executed a half nelson just darn near perfectly. He locked it in very hard and twisted her over just like Coach John has taught him. When he had her on her back, he squeezed her down just like he is suppose to until he pinned her. He did well. The two boys that beat him got 2nd and 3rd. He was literally 1 to 2 moves away from winning those bouts. The boy who won the tournament is the kid who pinned Cut last week in the 3rd round. Cutter is the only kid so far who has even made it to the third round against this boy. He is doing good, and hey, he didn't get pinned this week.

Ok, I am through talking about Hulk Hogan. I do just want to add one more thing. We all know people who have older children who are good kids. We are so very fortunate to know many people like this. I want to mention one boy who I feel deserves some props. Cutter has a serious man crush on an older kid. Peyton Stafford is his name, he is a 5th grader. He is the son of Joe and Lee Stafford. Let me put the connection down for you. Their daughter Katie Beth plays on my basketball team. Joe is the head wrestling coach at Tascosa. Joe is the one who got us going with this. As you can figure, Peyton wrestles and this weekend, Peyton was wrestling also. Peyton always, and I mean always acknowledges Cutter and gives him genuine attention every time he sees him. It was getting close to Cutters second match and I saw Peyton walking down in front of the bleachers we were sitting on. He was coming down to get Cutter and help him warm up! Understand, Peyton is with some of his buddies. He took the time to keep watching the bout numbers where Cut was wrestling and drop his buddies to come get Cutter and get him ready to wrestle. Stayed right there with me while Cutter did his thing and really gave Cutter a big high five afterward. He really made Cutter feel like a star. Unless Peyton was wrestling or getting ready to, he was right there cheering Cutter on every time. And of course, Cutter wanted to watch his buddy as well. Peyton is a very respectful, kind, genuine kid. I can only pray that Cutter will grow up being like his buddy Peyton. Peyton has know idea the impact he has on Cutter. Peyton is just being who he is, and how he is being raised. I wish every Christian could be that way. Peyton is not trying to be anything but Cutter's friend. It doesn't seem to matter a bit that they are 6 years apart. To most kids Peyton's age (especially boys), it isn't cool giving attention to a little kindergarten kid, but Peyton doesn't seem to care about all that. He is just doing what I think Jesus tells us to do....build relationships through genuine love and care for each other. I wish everyone could have a "Peyton." I am thankful Cutter has the real thing!