“Shake hands… Ready… Wrestle!” The referee’s whistle blows and just like that we’re going at it. Circling, head-tapping, changing levels, and dipping in and out of shots, I’m trying to set my opponent up so I can have that split-second of time that I need to get in on a good shot to my opponent's leg. 
This is my first year wrestling at the Varsity level and it’s our first tournament. So far the team is undefeated and through our first three duals, but I am 0-3 through my first three Varsity matches. This is the last match of the day for us so I’m extra determined to get my first win out of the way, but I’m also fatigued from wrestling three matches earlier in the day.
Thirty seconds into the match my opponent gets in deep on my leg. My first reaction is to sprawl, which is throwing your legs back and thrusting your hips into the mat, trying to get your opponent extended, therefore, making it harder for him to score. Unfortunately, he was quicker than me and circled around me for a two point takedown. I know that I have to pick it up, because I need to come from behind now. Realizing this, I quickly get an escape. So it’s 2-1, and we’re in neutral position. We stay like that until the 1st period is over. He gets the first choice of: top, bottom, both up, or differ. He chooses bottom.
The whistle blows and I instantly chop his elbow with my hand to break him down onto his stomach. I then proceed to work for wrist control and then try turning him to his back. I never turned him to his back, but I did manage to keep him down for a minute. Then halfway through the 2nd period he escapes, 3-1 him. With about 30 seconds left in the period he takes me down again, 5-1. Instantly, I stand up and escape, refusing to be held down. I’m losing 5-2 going into the 3rd and final period.
By now we are both running out of gas and my body wants to quit, but I force myself to keep going. It’s my choice this time so I choose bottom. Right away I get an escape, 5-3. I steal a quick peek at the clock which tells me I have 1:45 left in the match. Physically I want to quit, my legs feel weak, and my arms heavy. I notice he is feeling the same way by his stance: he’s standing higher up with his legs extended, and his arms draping. Noting this I force myself to stay in good position. Forty-five seconds left in the match and I’m down by two. I kick it into second gear, not even noticing my body’s exhaustion, everything is mental now. I’m moving quickly, creating angles, then in the blink of an eye I shoot in on a leg and take him down. I hear the crowd start cheering because I tied it up, but before I could attempt to break him down, he was up again, regaining his lead now 6-5.
Fifteen seconds left, as I check the clock on last time, I hit my 3rd gear, knowing that I’m in better shape and want the win more than him. Just like that I’m in on a leg again, I am totally zoned in on finishing the takedown, not thinking, hearing, or seeing anything else. It feels like slow motion as I transition from a single to a double leg, while sweat was dripping off my face, and take him to the mat. Everything is full speed again, “TWO!!!” everyone on the New Prague bench and fan section screams, then with five seconds left my opponent tries a desperation roll for and escape or reversal, but I stick my hand out to catch myself from flipping over. The gym erupts with cheers as the referee blows his whistle the final time to indicate the end of the match. I get up, feeling relieved but exhausted, look at the scoreboard that reads 7-6, shake my opponent's hand, then get to feel the satisfaction of getting my hand raised.
I walk back to the bench being congratulated by my teammates, feeling accomplished, I get to Coach Tikalsky he looks at me and says, “Winning matches in the 3rd period, I Love It O’Neill!” as he shakes my hand and pats me on the back. I continue walking to the hallway where I lean my back against the firm wall, slide down it until I’m sitting on the cold, refreshing tile, and think to myself how happy I am that I didn’t give up, while I hear the faint sounds of cheers and whistles coming from the other side of the wall.