Jill's Journal: It was one of those almost ‘proud mama’ moments

 If I were a mother, I’d chalk up an almost “proud mama” moment on the sidelines of last week’s wrestling quadrangular hosted by the Metro Conference newcomer, Sioux Falls Jefferson.

After getting a lay of the new gym, I perched myself in the front row of the bleachers – center court, for you basketball fans – and happily clicked away as I watched our Lynx wrestlers one after another take the mat. Arms were raised for wins by pin, decision and the occasional forfeit. I’m happy to report that the bulk of “arms raised” were the arms of our Brandon Valley Lynx wrestlers, who came away with three team dual victories.

After dusting off Sioux Falls Lincoln to start the night off and a short break in between duals, an O’Gorman fan sat down next to me. We exchanged a few casual words and when BV’s heavyweight Navarro Schunke walked by us, I started spilling my guts about the success the wrestling phenom has had in his prep career with the Lynx.

“He’s just a sophomore,” I bragged.

She nodded her head in acknowledgement. 

“He has two state individual titles to his name,” I informed.

Once again, she nodded.

“And he doesn’t spend too much time on the mat against his opponents. He’s pretty quick,” I tossed in.

As expected, she nodded.

Not long after I’d educated her on Navarro’s prowess in the sport, she whipped out her phone to video the next match on the mat. And as you may have guessed, she was there to capture her son in action on the mat, who just happened to fill the O’Gorman heavyweight slot.

Then, I shut my mouth, put the camera up to my eye and went to work.

The wrestlers shook hands. Navarro essentially swept his opponent right off his feet and 19 seconds later, the ref was slapping his hand on the mat and announcing, “Pin!”

I got three clicks of the camera in. And the O’Gorman mama sitting next to me, well, she quietly hit the “stop” recording button on her phone and slid it into her purse.

“Sorry,” I apologetically offered. “But I did say that he was quick.”

While it was one of those almost “proud mama” moments for this ol’ weekly newspaper editor, I could chalk this up to one of those awkward “foot-in-your-mouth” moments, too. 

Merry Christmas, to all!

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Merry Christmas, to all.