Moving Forward

One thing that we all can control is effort.  Lehigh wrestling made several changes last week, and took control of many of the aspects during our two matches-- but mainly we controlled our effort.  This may seem like  an odd thing to improve on, as you always want to give your best every time your on the mat-- but effort is perhaps the most important part of "showing up" when that whistle blows. No matter what the scoreboard says, for 7+ minutes you can always give more effort. If your down by 9 points -you can get the last takedown and save a team point, if your down by 1- work has hard has you possibly can to score,  and so on... Always finish on top, get that last takedown, ride your opponent out, score the last point.  This is something that comes with maturity and we will continuity get better as the season continues... EIWAS and NCAA's watch out! 

We had two great crowds this weekend, both in Grace and Stabler. I thank you for all of your support-- you make us Lehigh a a very special place to wrestle. When down matside, things are often different than what you think you see in the stands.  Trust the coaching staff, & trust YOUR team. Our goals are not for November- and come March everyone will understand. Some teams are better RIGHT NOW, that doesn't mean that they will be better in March. 

This week we are preparing for Pittsburg. They are a very solid team and we have a lot of work to do! We have a lot of positive things took continue to build off of from this past weekend. We are learning from our mistakes, and trusting in the PROCESS it takes to be the best. 

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

Control the Controlables

Having battled Cancer and come out on the other side, I have learned that sometimes in life things just don't seem to go your way.  Being a complete control freak, this little life lesson is something that is very hard for me to accept.  It keeps me awake at night, then haunts my night-mares, and distracts me from things that are actually in my control. Thus, I have come up with a mantra--that if you ask anyone who has been with me in particularly rough time in my life will probably be able to recite to you without blinking and find it to be a little annoying by now-- I don't know where I heard it first or who said it to me, but I know I have been saying it for a couple years now. All that you or I can do is

Control the Controlables.  Honestly, I don't even know if "Controlables" is a word, as I get a red line under it every time I type it out-- But these three words have gotten me through some of the most dark periods of my life and I plan on sticking with them until the end. 

On Saturday things did not go our way, and it was entirely our fault. I can't sit here and pretend to know every little thing that went wrong but I can say with complete confidence that we are going to learn from our embarrassment, hold ourselves personally accountable, and control our controlables this week as we plan for Bloomsburg and Penn State.  I know that with our performance doubt has planted a seed in the minds of many of fans, and to honest I don't blame you.  We did not compete, no excuses. But-- you don't judge a book by its cover and you shouldn't judge my team by a match, because if you do your going to miss out on a great story. We are going to look back at this past weekend and realize that it was a WAKE UP for our team. Don't count us out just yet, allow us to prove you wrong. 

I am headed up to practice in a few minutes to continue preparations for this weekend. I promise you that Coach Santoro and his staff are ready for this week to get started. It is going to be a fun week, and an even better weekend-- we get to step out onto that iconic Brown and White mat and show up!

Right now, we need to be inspired. If you have some inspiration for us--leave a comment or send me an email.  Help us inspire not only ourselves, but also inspire you! 

Clarion Open-- Is finally over!

I am exhausted. Early (very early) this morning our bus pulled into Lehigh, after what was perhaps on of the most exhausting days of wrestling I have ever experienced--> and I didn't even wrestle in the Clarion Open! For all members of the Lehigh Wrestling team, coaches and athletes alike, this past weekend was a full on sprint toward the finish line.  We had 2 members of our team represent us at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic, FloWreslting held a first class event with the best high school wrestlers in the country in Grace Hall, and the entire team made the trek to Clarion.

Mason and Joey had the extraordinary opportunity to compete in the NWCA All Star Classic.  They both made all of us proud as they won their respective matches.  Mason was honored after the match by being named an Outstanding Wrestler of the event. He is the first Lehigh Wrestler to ever receive the award at the Classic. As Joey and Mason competed the rest of our team crammed into a hotel room in Clarion and surrounded the TV to cheer on our fellow Mountain Hawks.

The next morning came all too early as the alarm clock rang at 5am (like some twisted joke) and the team huddled into the hotel lobby at 530am. We, along with 300+ wrestlers, filed into the Clarion student rec center in preparation for weigh ins. And so it began..... we were in the that gym for over 12 hours! I would like to thank all of our family and fans that spent the long day standing in order to support us.

We wrestled fairly well overall.  The team was full of excitement as the first whistle of the season rang, and that excitement carried us through the long day of competition. Personally I was very impressed with Zach Diekel and Laike Gardner who both kept battling throughout the day. They demonstrated what our coaches have been preaching all year so far.. SCORE AS MANY POINTS AS POSSIBLE.

We are underway... Lets keep the ball rolling. We host Bucknell Saturday and we have plenty of work to do before then.

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

Brown & White Wrestle Off's

Tonight, Grace Hall welcomed 1,200 of the Lehigh faithful that came and showed there support at the annual Brown and White wrestle offs. The atmosphere is always very difficult for us wrestlers for a few reasons: 1) We feed off the crowd in Grace. It has been named one of the best/hardest places in the country for a reason--> because it is LOUD, and during wrestle off's the crowd kinda sits back and enjoys the show. No one in the stands and especially on the bench wants to cheer against a fellow Mountain Hawk, so it is always awkwardly quite in the "snake pit" 2) We are trained, almost brainwashed, to go into full on attack (hate) mode as soon as we touch that line... and no mater what anyone says,  that is a pretty darn hard thing to do when against the same person your going to grab dinner with after the match. We are a family, we watch each others backs and are the first to come to the rescue if someone needs help.  No matter what the line up turns out to be, I can assure you all that the bench this year is going to be excited for every member of our team that has the privilege of representing us on that iconic mat in Grace Hall this year.

At least the public wrestle off's are over and we can all move on as we get ready to send the team to Clarion next weekend. The tournament should be a great beginning to the season, before we head right into dual meets starting November 9th.

Let me tell you, when I say this week flew by.... I mean I felt like I blinked and its already Thursday night (almost Friday). I am so unbelievably proud to be a member of the Lehigh Wrestling team that sometimes between classes and working up in the Caruso Complex the days go by in what seems like minutes.  We are all working our very hardest in preparation for the actual competition to begin, and I personally cant wait for it to get here.

We go back to work tomorrow, no rest for the weary. All of us know that in order to be the best, you have to train like the best.  We are headed back to the drawling board and using tonight as a stepping stone toward our ultimate goal in March.

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it."

"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it."- Churchill (Drew Headlee)

During our team meeting with Dr. Jarrod Spencer this week we all were discussing quotes, sayings, mantras, ect.. that we believe could be helpful for others on the team this season. Coach Headlee shared the quote by Winston Churchill and it has been running, well more like racing, through my head ever since. Those 12 words are exactly what I have been searching for when I try to describe what is going to happen this year with Lehigh Wrestling. I have been struggling to accurately express what is happening within the inner circle my team -- because by my nature I am not a boastful person who hides behind big words and expectations. However, I know that this year is the start of something very unique and special.  I know that we are going to make our mark in the history books.  I know that we are going to surprise a lot of people who are counting us down and out. I can say with complete confidence and honesty that my team is one of the very best in the country, and come March we are going to prove just  that.  I know this because aren't leaving it up to chance or good favor any longer, we are taking our future into our own hands and ensuring that we do everything possible to be successful.

This week has been amazing! I have had the privilege of attending two alumni events which have forever changed my personal take on Lehigh Wrestling.  The men that have and continue to be part of this program are truly remarkable human beings, and it was an honor to have the ability to spend some time with them. 

The team is continuing to battle in the practice room. We are now less than a week away from wrestle-offs (can you believe it?) so everyone is a little tense. I will be excited to get them over with so we can move on toward bigger and better things.

Overall, I am so proud of the team and their commitment and effort so far. We believe that we are one of the very best teams in the country and we are working to have the opportunity to prove that every single day.

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

The season is here! Time to get started!

Today (Oct 10th) was the first official day of the 2013-2014 NCAA wrestling season, and let me tell you Lehigh Wrestling welcomed the season with open arms. We have been looking forward to today since the end of last season. For the veterans on the team the first whistle of practice represented a fresh start, as Coach Santoro said today "the past is the past, there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it.. learn from it, grow from it, and let it go." For the freshman, today was the first step toward becoming a National Champion. We have tremendously talented & driven freshman and sophomore classes, we expect big things from each of them this season as they step into the limelight of Grace Hall. The best part is that THEY expect more out of themselves and their teammates than any of us could expect from 18 and 19 year olds. 

This week has been hectic. Personally I feel like this week has flown by and I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, but from now that is the new normal. We all signed up for these non-stop weeks-- getting up early and collapsing into bed as soon as our homework is finished. In order to be the best you have to prepare for competition better than everyone else, and I promise you that we are going not only out work but out smart our competition this year.  Like Coach said, last season is in the past.. it is forever in the record books and there is nothing that we can do about that.

However, we can use our 'unfinished business" of last year to drive us toward the top of the podium stand this year. We have been described as "young", "unexperienced" and so on and so forth... but ya know what---we don't care, because although we are "young" we are also really freaken talented. I will be the first to say that you cant win on talent alone, but when you combine the talent on my team with their drive for success, you have a pretty deadly combination. Although we have been dubbed as being "unexperienced" we are also passionate. Passionate about being the best, the very best. 

We are striving for excellence, for perfection. Starting today we are moving forward and we aren't stopping until March 22, 2014. The first whistle of the NCAA Championships is 161 days away, and we will be ready. 

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks! 

Certification Week.. No Fun!

Hey All! I am sorry that this post is a little late, it is testing week here a Lehigh and I have been crazy busy preparing for my exams.  The past week has also been pretty crazy for Lehigh Wrestling, as it was the ever so dreaded certification week for the team. The NCAA requires every DI wrestler to undergo testing in order to ensure that the weight class they choose to compete at is safe for them, in terms of cutting too much weight. However, in order to successfully certify you must pass a hydration test... which forces you to be so hydrated that you never want to look at water again. By the time you are hydrated to meet the NCAA standards, you have to use the restroom every five minutes and you feel like you stomach is going to explode. Trust me.. its not fun! Not a single person who reads this could pass the hydration portion of the test on any given day.

In order to only have go go through the misery of certing one time a year, it has become a science of how to pass. We know what foods to eat, when to take medications and vitamins, exactly when to start hydrating, and so much more... If we could be that detailed with school we would all be brain surgeons.

On friday the university hosted an "opening ceremony" for the Caruso Complex.  The event brought in some of the most prominent Lehigh Alumni ever to wear a brown singlet. It was a fitting event for the  best wrestling complex in the country. However, because all of the alum were coming in... everything in the facility had to be finished by friday afternoon. This meant that the complex was full with people working on the finishing touches all week long.  In the end they did a great job and the place looks awesome.

Because of certs the practice the schedule was messed up last, but this week we are already back on track. Yesterday we had a very inspiring practice. Everyone worked extremely hard! Today is the last Wednesday that we have off the mats before the season officially starts, rumor has it that we are going to play some volleyball outside... we will see how that goes!

The season is staring us in the eye. Its time for us to step up!

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

The Season Is Almost Here!

I have quickly formed a routine.. Everyday at 4:15pm I walk up the steps and head to the spot in the wrestling room that is quickly becoming "my perch".  I sit against the wall, tie the laces of my wrestling shoes, and scope out the beginning of practice. Coach Santoro has a gift of being able to know the energy level of the team the moment he walks up the steps. I, however, need about 10 minutes to figure out how everyone is feeling.

The team has been making it easier on me lately though, we are continually working harder and harder has the season creeps closer and closer.  While the energy level picks up I find myself getting more into practice.  Not preparing from competition everyday is still hard for me to get used too, but I am finding ways to fill that gap.  

As a team we look forward to Wednesday's. For the past few weeks we have been told to get outside and away from the mats for the day. This week we called Gimp and played a few games of ultimate frisbee. It was much more successful then when we attempted to play football! Thank you Gimp for playing with us! 

Friday morning we attacked our 645am workout.  We all met Coach behind the Caruso Complex and the guys killed a hill sprint/ stairs workout. I was really proud of the way they responded after a hard week in the wrestling and weight room. In order for us to be successful we all have to give 100%, 100% of the time.. no excuses, no exceptions.. and they gave their 100% this week. 

Our "new home" for Lehigh Wrestling is continuing to take shape. We finally have pictures on the walls and trophies in the cases. We will be adding some hardware to them

these next for seasons. The season is almost here. Not long now! 

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks! 

What a Week We Had!

First off-- The new Caruso Complex is, without a doubt, the best wrestling facility in the country.  I am not saying it is the biggest (mat space) in the country, but without a doubt it is the head and shoulders above other facilities.  At Lehigh we are truly blessed with the most loyal alumni and we owe a great deal to these kind people. It is with the help of these generous people that we are able to continue to move forward toward success as a wrestling program and as people. Thank you!

So, on campus we have had another amazing week. I am so excited for this year, I can hardly keep from screaming.  The team recognizes the need for change, and we are embracing each and every change that is thrown our way.  We know that in order for us to achieve our goals, sometimes you just need to get out of our own way and recognize that you are apart of something that is far greater than yourself. 

Our workouts continue to get harder and more intense. Our "team building" weekend (a few weeks back) seems to have made an impact.  Our new philosophy: it doesn't matter if your a freshman or a senior --->  If your not doing your job, expect to be called out on it. We are only as good as the person who is having a bad day. Leave your feelings at the door and expect to get better (both athletically and personally) everyday. 

This week our weight room was finally finished (!) & the guys have been putting it to good use.  We have had a few team lifts so far which, now finally can fit the entire team (thank you again alumni). Our time on the mat is proving to be more and more important, especially for our freshman who are eager to stay after and grab someone to work on some technique.

Just like last Wednesday,  Coach told us to get way from the mat and spend the afternoon doing something outside. So the team opted to go to the Lehigh River, where we got in run in, went swimming , tried to out do each other on the rope swing, and had a water ballon fight to end the day. What a blast that was! 

The week was capped off yesterday by the Lehigh Wrestling picnic.  For the few years that I have had the opportunity to attend we have had beautiful weather, and this year was no different. Everyone took advantage of the sunshine and played volleyball, horseshoes and a few other outdoor games.

Our coaching staff is chomping at the bit for the season to finally get here! They are revamped and ready to make an impact this season.  The time is now for Lehigh Wrestling and they are ready and willing to answer the call. 

One Team, One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

Lehigh Wrestling- One Week Closer

First off: Yesterday (Sept. 8) was perhaps the most important day in our sports long and storied history. After months of waiting…. it's official: WRESTLING IS BACK IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES! I personally would like to extend my gratitude to every member of the wrestling community who had a part in the IOC’s decision. The hard work of a few, kept the dream alive for many.  

We #SavedOlympicWrestling

At Lehigh the team had a great week.  The new Caruso Complex is proving be the ideal facility in the country.  We are slowing making it our own and I am excited to see the impact it will have on the upcoming season.

Our preparation this year is already proving to be different than I have experienced in the past. Its time for each of us to step up our commitment to the team and push each other to a new level. Our captain lead open room practices are becoming more intense as preseason is quickly creeping toward us.  Although we are a young team, we are not allowing that to be an excuse, we just have to train harder and smarter than everyone else.

On Wednesday coach wanted us to get off the mats for a day, so we headed over to Goodman Campus and tested out our football skills.  Although we all had a blast, the football was.. well.. awful!  We all now know we should stick to wrestling. ( I think at one point there was 4 interceptions in a row) After the game we headed to a team BBQ, which had WAY to much food (thank you Linda).  Although we didn’t touch the mat on Wednesday, the team made some great strides toward success.  The more we enjoy each other’s company, the more willing we are to go to battle for each other.

We are one week closer to the NCAA tournament and therefore one week closer to our goal.  I am eager to see what this next week has in store for Lehigh Wrestling.

One team. One heartbeat. Go Hawks!

Welcome to Lehigh Wrestling

Hello and Welcome to my blog. My name is Eric Hess and I have been given the privilege of being a member of the Lehigh University wrestling team. Unfortunately, due to ongoing health issues, stemming from chemotherapy, I have been medically sidelined from competition. I will be updating this blog weekly as a class project, and I hope to give all of you an inside look to my team. Enjoy!

This past week has been extremely influential for every member of my team. We all are now completely in-sync on what our goals are for the incoming season.  Everyones passion for the success of our squad is already beginning to bleed out, and we are ready to move forward toward a national title.

Each and every one of us understands that we have a lot of work to do, but I promise you that we will not stop working until we achieve our goals. Our program has been built on the backs of those who came before us, and we intend to honor them by giving everything we have to ourselves and to our teammates… 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Today we had a team meeting to discuss the upcoming week and reinforce what the goals of Lehigh Wrestling are for the upcoming season.   Personally, I want to be on the mat with everyone training and preparing for the competition.  No matter how hard it is for me, I must continue to accept my new role. I am now behind the bench…. behind the scenes… and although I am not on the mat I will always do what ever I can to help my team be successful.  I intend to give you a different perspective to my team and my sport, and I thank you for following along.