To all the folks I had the pleasure to travel with, hang with, and meet...many thanks!! It has ALWAYS been my experience that, while me and all others travel for the wrestling, it is this intangible (being around wresting fans) that enhances the experience, making it something that is extraordinary.
So here's a few tid-bits for anyone interested;
Minnesota Hospitality
Everyone -- from hotel staff, to the servers at the restaurants we ate at, to the workers at Williams Arena, and everyone in between -- was wonderful. It is a friendly city, very welcoming.
Mother Nature and Old Man Winter
"The Storm" never quite materialized to the degree expected, and I for one am thankful. It was a nuisance, at worst, for driving, but dangerous walking due to the slippery (or is it slippy?) conditions. Travel wasn't horrible, and flights back to PA Sunday night were on time. Wasn't bitter cold like the previous weekend, so we were thankful for that too. Metro system (light rail) was useful and inexpensive, and was used by a lot of folks. Anyone travelling to NCAA's next year will want to check this out.
Friends and Acquaintances (new Friends)
Had the good fortune of meeting half a dozen posters from here for the first time. As said before, the people are what makes wrestling events extra special. I am blessed with many, many friends...and now there's more!! To my seat-mates, other friends, parents of wrestlers, and anyone missed, thanks!
Williams Arena
Not horrible, but not the best. First Big Ten Championship that was sold out -- EVER -- to my knowledge, which is great. Concourse was very narrow, and for anyone wanting to walk around, give their back a break from sitting, and get half an ounce of exercise, it was impossible during the breaks. It's vintage shows, but that's it's character, so took it all in. And since it's called "the Barn", I'll add thanks to the couple of fans just in front of us and one behind, for Session II, that behaved like a particular barn animal. Another great insight into the term "classless fans".
The Wrestling
So much has already been said, so I'll limit this to a big picture observation. THE WRESTLING WAS FABULOUS, AGAIN! One of the wrestling parents described the weight class their son was in as "a minefield". So true. Every weight class had some barnburner matches, and if one took the time to watch other teams, they'd see that there's plenty of talent out there, and Penn State and everyone else had to work hard to earn their wins.
Along the way, there were "moments" or themes that are etched in my mind;
-- For every classy coach in the Big Ten, there's one that behaves badly. And not just a little bit badly...they were an embarrassment to their programs.
-- This sport is brutal. Leg injuries, shoulder injuries, elbow injuries, and the like. Just me, but anyone that believes that ducking is a reason most guys can't go, is out of touch with this reality.
So here's a few tid-bits for anyone interested;
Minnesota Hospitality
Everyone -- from hotel staff, to the servers at the restaurants we ate at, to the workers at Williams Arena, and everyone in between -- was wonderful. It is a friendly city, very welcoming.
Mother Nature and Old Man Winter
"The Storm" never quite materialized to the degree expected, and I for one am thankful. It was a nuisance, at worst, for driving, but dangerous walking due to the slippery (or is it slippy?) conditions. Travel wasn't horrible, and flights back to PA Sunday night were on time. Wasn't bitter cold like the previous weekend, so we were thankful for that too. Metro system (light rail) was useful and inexpensive, and was used by a lot of folks. Anyone travelling to NCAA's next year will want to check this out.
Friends and Acquaintances (new Friends)
Had the good fortune of meeting half a dozen posters from here for the first time. As said before, the people are what makes wrestling events extra special. I am blessed with many, many friends...and now there's more!! To my seat-mates, other friends, parents of wrestlers, and anyone missed, thanks!
Williams Arena
Not horrible, but not the best. First Big Ten Championship that was sold out -- EVER -- to my knowledge, which is great. Concourse was very narrow, and for anyone wanting to walk around, give their back a break from sitting, and get half an ounce of exercise, it was impossible during the breaks. It's vintage shows, but that's it's character, so took it all in. And since it's called "the Barn", I'll add thanks to the couple of fans just in front of us and one behind, for Session II, that behaved like a particular barn animal. Another great insight into the term "classless fans".
The Wrestling
So much has already been said, so I'll limit this to a big picture observation. THE WRESTLING WAS FABULOUS, AGAIN! One of the wrestling parents described the weight class their son was in as "a minefield". So true. Every weight class had some barnburner matches, and if one took the time to watch other teams, they'd see that there's plenty of talent out there, and Penn State and everyone else had to work hard to earn their wins.
Along the way, there were "moments" or themes that are etched in my mind;
-- For every classy coach in the Big Ten, there's one that behaves badly. And not just a little bit badly...they were an embarrassment to their programs.
-- This sport is brutal. Leg injuries, shoulder injuries, elbow injuries, and the like. Just me, but anyone that believes that ducking is a reason most guys can't go, is out of touch with this reality.
