Formerathlete79

This past weekend, Scott Hines a Junior at Fairmont High School demonstarted the highest form of sportsmanship. Scott was wrestling in the 2009 Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament. He had won his first match, lost his second, won his third, and was wrestling in what is known as the wrestlebacks. Scott's opponent was a conference rival school, St. Peter. Scott had wrestled the opponent Brandon Zabel earlier in the year and had lost to Zabel in a tight match.

Scott and Brandon were now in a match that determined if they would continue to wrestle for the opportunity to make it to the third place match. The 1st period started and both boys were running high on adreniline overload and emotions. Somewhere around the 30 second mark, Zabel lifted Hines high in the air for a takedown and appeared to lose his grip and the two boys came down to the mat hard. Hines was clearly hurt and the official dinged Zabel with a technical violation for a slam. As the medical staff at the tournament tended to Hines injury it was determined he would be unable to continue from a shoulder (collar bone) injury. Typically this would give Hines the win as the opponent was dinged for a slam and Hines would win on a technical violation for an illegal move.

As Hines laid on the mat in pain, not just physical but now emotional as he knew he was done. He could choose to take the win and move into the next match guarenteeing him a spot on the podium or allow Zabel to continue to move on and wrestle. This would be possible by standing up, putting on his headgear and forfeiting the match.

Hines showed he is a man of integrity and class by not hesitating that he would allow Zabel who is a senior to go on and wrestle in the tournament. The Excel Energy Center applouded Hines as he forfeited his match. The many coaches and wrestlers that came up and told Scott and the coaches that it was a class act was overwhelming. This act of sportmanship by this Fairmont athlete and student shows that his parents, teachers, coaches and friends should be proud of him and their influence on him.

M Richardson

Nice story. Do you have a cite for this?

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