Brimming with confidence after the fall cross-country campaign but mindful of not overplaying my hand – pride cometh before a fall and all that – I chose to skip the basketball season and concentrate on my studies. Also, because there was no five-foot and under division.
I was aware there were other niche sports contested during the winter quarter but blissfully unaware one of them was wrestling. As I mentioned in an earlier Way Back episode, prior to starting high school my only knowledge of the sport was what I learned watching Portland Wrestling on Saturday nights, and whatever nonsense Uncle Harry thought amusing to try and convince me of. Which among other things was that unless you were the stature of André the Giant you need not apply.