Jim Tonte
Jim Tonte
banquet champion finished high left middle passed ring school second speaking state wrestling
I was speaking at the middle school wrestling banquet in 2002 after we'd finished second in the state tournament. I passed around my (runner-up) ring and told them that we were going to get the other ring, the champion ring, before they left high school.
champions great mind state
I told them that they were champions. They had a great year, and they're state champions in my mind.
champ great parity proud several state strong whoever
This is really a great dual-meet tournament. There's a lot of parity, and not parity in the sense of mediocrity. There's parity in the sense that there are several very strong teams. Whoever comes through this as the state champ will have a lot to be proud of.
academics believer college finances financial firm good grants help helps kid obviously quality school wants whether wrestle
I'm still a firm believer that if you have a quality kid and he wants to wrestle in college, you can get him in school and get help whether it's financial aid, Pell grants or college scholarships. It obviously helps if you're a good student, because you can get some other finances through academics as well.