My Tonja, Melissa Sartain, shared some old pictures today of family members, I had never seen before, though I remember the times and stories. This picture is of my father after he won a split decision in the finals of the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Boxing Championship, Lightweight Division finals, in 1940, held in San Francisco.
Dad broke his right hand at the beginning of the Championship match but kept on fighting. This is one of the stories he used to tell me when I was growing up about never giving up, no matter what.
I don't know how he kept fighting with a broken right hand, but I know from this picture that his story was true. I never doubted it when I was young but had forgotten about it until I saw this picture this evening!
You can see how skinny and gaunt my father in the picture. He had to eat a very sparse diet and train very intensely to make his 135 weight class. My dad taught me a lot about training, the healthy foods to eat to make weight and other "weight loss secrets," in my High School and University Wrestling Days.
My father never missed one of my home Football Games, Wrestling Matches or Track Meets throughout Jr. and Sr. High. He would also travel to out of town competitions, to be with me, when he could. My mother would always be sitting right beside him. He would come to my University of Washington and Olympic College Matches, every time possible.
In my senior year, I was playing football at 165. As soon as Football was over the Wrestling Season started. Within a month I had to lose 23 lbs to make weight at 142 lb class for an Invitational Tournament in La Grande, Oregon. Wrestlers came from Washinton, Oregon, and Idaho.
The last couple of days before the Tournament my Dad had me spit in a can, take Epsom Salt baths, work out in a rubber sweatsuit and spend a lot of time in the Steam Room. During the last few days, eating little was not difficult. It was cutting way back on the water that was really tough. That night he gave me a good message to help me sleep.
I weighed in a 7 AM on a Saturday. After making weight, I carefully ate and drank water. By the time my first match started at 10 AM, I felt healthy and ready.
After an easy pin in my first match, I took a short nap, eat and wrestled my 2nd match at about 3:00 PM, where I got the second pin. Then I knew I was ready for the Championship Match in the Evening.
With some more rest, food, and water I gained about five pounds. The championship match had some challenges, but I still won 6-0. At the end of it, all the sacrifice and pain was worth it.
My father was always by my side in all my athletic endeavors, encouraging me every step of the way! Thank you, Dad, for all your kind and loving support. Even though you could be a very tough teacher with very high expectations, at times, I am thankful now of all that you taught me because I know that you loved me with all your heart and soul!
I do not want to go to the Other Side Camp until my time comes, but I sure miss my dad, mom and other relatives who are there, at moments like this one tonight!
