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Seeds don't matter

Posted by Bryce Evans on 2/19/2025, 10:37 am

Long post but maybe this can help a few.. I was the number 1 seed coming into MatClassic in 2011 31-0. I hadn't been taken down all year. I was a returning 2x finalist. I lost in the quarter finals 7-6 to a kid I beat 10-0 that year and he went on to win the whole thing. Let's just say he wasn't a high seed. Im here to tell you that your kids seed doesn't matter. Go out and wrestle. May our kids love to compete more than they love to win. I recently lost my wife unexpectedly a couple months ago. I can tell you wholeheartedly that loss in 2011 taught me more about life and how to handle hard things than winning Matclassic that year could have. As crazy as it sounds Im thankful for that match. I think it's helped shape who I am today. At the end of the day.. It's just another tournament, just another wrestling match and no one cares how many state titles you have when you get to my age. Life can be taken from you in a moment. So go watch your kid wrestle, take a big breath, enjoy the weekend, and put life in perspective. Be proud of your kid no matter how this weekend turns out. You never know what life will throw at your kid.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Shawn on 2/19/2025, 10:47 am, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Great words. Thank you for sharing this and hopefully helping others put high school sports into perspective.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Wow on 2/19/2025, 11:51 am, in reply to "Re: Seeds don't matter"

Agreed. Nice that someone who's been there shares how it didn't work out for them, he's still alive and hopefully doing great.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Real Deal on 2/22/2025, 9:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeds don't matter"

Thank you!

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Dave G on 2/19/2025, 2:20 pm, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Bryce,

Thanks for posting the profound words about life, wrestling and what is important in the big scheme. I am sorry to hear about your wife's passing and wish you well.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Crazy Joe Devola on 2/19/2025, 7:58 pm, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Thanks for sharing such a powerful message. Sorry for your loss.
Bless you.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Coach P on 2/19/2025, 10:17 pm, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Well said Bryce, thank you for this, I needed to read this!

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by wrestler-coach on 2/20/2025, 9:20 am, in reply to "Re: Seeds don't matter"

As someone who competed during that time but not against you, thank you for sharing that message. Sometimes its easy to lose perspective about what is really important.I tell my wrestlers after they lose a big match; to remember that tough times don't last and the sun will always rise tomorrow.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by BW on 2/21/2025, 8:47 am, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Incredible, meaningful, and wise post. Thank you for sharing. It's obvious you have much to give. My condolences for your loss

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Zack Sowards on 2/21/2025, 10:04 am, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Phenomenally said, Bryce. Puyallup Little League is lucky to have you in our room.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by John Foister on 2/23/2025, 3:37 pm, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Powerful message Bryce.You and your young family are in our prayers. So sorry for your loss.

Re: Seeds don't matter

Posted by Kyle Eakins on 2/23/2025, 4:01 pm, in reply to "Seeds don't matter"

Bryce, powerful words of wisdom from the kind of person we all hope wrestling helps our youth to become. Thank you! All our prayers, condolences and support go out to you.

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