I just read the Reilly article. Like many of you, I've enjoyed Reilly's columns for years. It's a shame he used his talents in this way--it's like he had an axe to grind--the story didn't merit that kind of a response. As Gold said, we will each see this in our own way. In a forum we're each entitled to our opinion. But I think most would allow that there are differences in how the sexes relate--we don't yet (that I know of) have boys and girls using the same locker rooms and showering together after matches. Wrestling is a very physical, contact sport and whether you share his conviction or not, you can see how someone might have the conviction that boys shouldn't be handling girls in that way. I'm sorry that Reilly (with all of his talents) couldn't make that kind of an allowance for someone having a sincere conviction. I salute Joel for the courage of his convictions and his willingness to pay the price for it. We have too little of that today and it should be saluted not ridiculed.

I'm not sure what to think about the situation with the actual wrestling. As a former 112 lber I never made the state tournament like Cassie Herkelman and she possibly would have beaten me "back in my day" but (as with most of us) I wrestled with mean intentions, and I personally would not feel right trying to pound the shit out of her or any other female (except maybe until she was kicking my ass!). Conditioning and physicality (as opposed to technique) were how I won matches and I would have held the physical aspect back against a female. On the other side of the coin, I do think that if she is good enough to make states that she deserves to see how good she is at that level and deserves her fair chance to get her ass kicked or not.

What I do know is that Reilley bashing this young boy shows a lack of class and tact at the situation. He comes off as an ass offering his important opinion from afar on an event that he likely could care less about. Taking a loss is always hard to handle, especially one like this boy who has worked hard enough to get to states but had to make a tough choice, right or wrong. I guarantee that the girl didn't and doesn't know how to handle this shit storm either, and could have been distracted enough not to wrestler at her best in subsequent matches in the tourney-which was all that everyone raising hell about this whole situation wanted her to do in the first place. Dopes. This whole situation and especially this article is yet another example of adults sticking their stupid-assed noses into kids' sports and making it a bigger deal than it has to be.

Originally Posted by TLV

Ok, my man, try this then. In Olympics past, Iranian wrestlers, among the best in the world, refuse to take the mat against Israeli wrestlers because of their political beliefs. Do you buy that justification??
I don't.
I'm of an age where I remember that white athletes refused to compete against black athletes, and they justified it with a variety of reasons in virtually every sport: football, basketball, baseball.
Point is, I respect his decision, but I definitely disagree with it as well as the rational behind it.
and yes, I think that the parents on both sides have been uber classy about the whole thing.

from what I have read, Iranian wrestlers are not making a political statement. They know they can't face Israelis without severe consequences from their government. No matter how you feel about the Israeli -Arab conflict that is a terrible situation for the athletes.

I am torn about my feelings toward the young man who forfeited. I respect his conviction towards his beliefs and how much he was willing to sacrifice, but by not wrestling he is on the borderline of imposing his belief system on others.
either way it is a shame that it got the national attention that it did.