No. 1 vs. No. 2

[Bellator]

I don't know if there are any wrestling fans here?

My daughter got us some tickets for tonight's event between No.1 Iowa and No. 2 Oklahoma State. Wrestling is about the only sport I follow much anymore. Of course being an Iowan means wrestling is a big deal.

We are very much looking forward to supper and the event with my oldest and her husband. And this year I am promising to try and be good......

[Andrea]

I don't follow wrestling, but I like the outfits.

Be sure to look for John Irving!

[Bellator]

Outfits??...........you sound like my wife!!

John Irving??

It was probably the best college match I have ever seen. Each team won five matches. Each team scored one extra team point in a match. Each team won one sudden death match. Each team had one major upset.

Final score 16-16. Since there can be no tie they had to go by a list of criteria. They got to the third criteria and Oklahoma State was awarded the win.

I was hoarse by the third match. It was a sellout at 15,400. I am so glad I got to see that one. I am wore out.......

[Andrea]

I don't think OSU ever gets near a sellout for wrestling. I do know that wrestling is popular in Iowa, but I didn't know it is that popular.

John Irving is a writer. He wrote The World According to Garp and several other best sellers. He went to Iowa and usually has some character in his books who is a wrestler.

[Bellator]

(01-08-2012 09:48 PM)Andrea Wrote:  I don't think OSU ever gets near a sellout for wrestling. I do know that wrestling is popular in Iowa, but I didn't know it is that popular.

John Irving is a writer. He wrote The World According to Garp and several other best sellers. He went to Iowa and usually has some character in his books who is a wrestler.

Very popular here.

In 82 national championships Oklahoma State has won 34 and Iowa has won 23. Total an Iowa or Oklahoma school has won 73 of 82 national championships.

On the Iowa team this year of the 13 athletes listed 8 are Iowa natives. Normally the majority of the athletes are from Iowa. I can't even begin to tell you how many individual National championships have been won by Iowans. Many at other schools besides Iowa, Iowa State, or UNI.

So yes for some of us it is a big deal. It is about the only sport I even watch anymore. That's just my personal preference. It doesn't seem to be tainted by money the way many others have been.

[BeeBee]

(01-08-2012 09:48 PM)Andrea Wrote:  John Irving is a writer. He wrote The World According to Garp and several other best sellers. He went to Iowa and usually has some character in his books who is a wrestler.

Owen Meany, is one of my all time favorite books. I really loved it, and it is one I have always kept a copy of throughout the years.

After having read it, and after my son was born a normal size almost 8 lbs, but then gradually started to fall off the growth charts, I refused the docs advice to give him growth hormones because of this book. It had a profound impact on me.

FYI, turns out he was just a late bloomer. He's now 26, is taller than I and helps get things down that are too high for me to reach.

[Andrea]

(01-09-2012 09:10 AM)BeeBee Wrote:  

(01-08-2012 09:48 PM)Andrea Wrote:  John Irving is a writer. He wrote The World According to Garp and several other best sellers. He went to Iowa and usually has some character in his books who is a wrestler.

Owen Meany, is one of my all time favorite books. I really loved it, and it is one I have always kept a copy of throughout the years.

After having read it, and after my son was born a normal size almost 8 lbs, but then gradually started to fall off the growth charts, I refused the docs advice to give him growth hormones because of this book. It had a profound impact on me.

FYI, turns out he was just a late bloomer. He's now 26, is taller than I and helps get things down that are too high for me to reach.

I haven't read that one. I'll have to get it. The last one I read is Cider House Rules. It has stuck with me very strongly. There are so many images from that book that come back to me from time to time.

I'm glad to hear that everything came out fine for your son!

[BeeBee]

Actually, it's A Prayer For Owen Meany.

Sorry,I posted before my first cuppa Java. And sorry to Bellator for swiping your thread.

I've always liked John Irving, but in the last few years a couple of his books got even a little too weird for me. Son of a Circus, I just didn't get.

After that, as much as I like his writing, I was a little nervous about doling out the big bucks at Costco for the hard copy of Last Night in Twisted River when it first came out, (2009) so I held off.
But I'm glad you have made mention of his name here as it has served as a reminder for me to get it.

P.S. they recently made Owen Meany into a movie a couple years back, but I couldn't bear to watch Hollywood mangle, bastardize it. That book has some of the best childhood scenes ever.

Sorry again, Bellator. Now back to your regular station in progress. Wrestling!!!

[BeeBee]

And yes he was into wrestlers, especially midget wrestlers.
Well into midgets in general as well.

[Bellator]

(01-09-2012 11:27 AM)BeeBee Wrote:  And yes he was into wrestlers, especially midget wrestlers.
Well into midgets in general as well.

I believe you are referring to something quite different than I am talking about. Midget wrestlers would be included in what has been promoted as professional wrestling. Here we call it wrassling.

The professional type is more like a reality show. There is a script to follow and the winners are picked before the matches. These are actors for the most part. It is all for show and ratings.

The collegiate type wrestling I am talking about is entirely different. This is highly regulated and rules that cannot be broken. It is practiced through primary school, middle and high school, The best go on to compete in College. Then the best of the best may continue on to world championships and the Olympics. The most likely career available after participation is most likely coaching. Hopefully a college degree is also attained.

Let me use an analogy.

Professional wrestling is like the 1%. Few rules and much cheating. Scripted outcomes......(also see Politics.)

Collegiate style wrestling would be more like the 99% Tough rules strictly enforced. You work a hard life to do your best and receive little in return.