Absolutely amazing. There is nothing more to say when you watch your son that will turn 18 in just three short days prove himself to be an outstanding young man.

Eight teams/schools/clubs entered the Invitational this weekend. Most teams were from the United Arab Emirates, but some came from Cairo, Egypt; Bangkok, Thailand; or New Delhi, India like our team from the American Embassy School of New Delhi.

The first day of the Invitational was weigh-ins, skin checks, skill clinics, rules and safety.

On the second day of the Invitational, the athletes have three matches. These three matches of pool play decide your seeding for the bracket play the next day. The Hawkinator had three matches. He won all three.

The first match, he pinned his opponent in 1 minute and 4 seconds of the first round.

The second match he won by points: 5-0. It was a good match. The other coaches were all surprised by the Hawkinator. The coach of this opponent was sure his athlete would win the Invitational. He told our coaches, “Your guy is abnormally strong.”

In the third match, the Hawkinator pinned his opponent during the second round at the 51 second mark. (Each round is one minute and thirty seconds. Each match goes three rounds unless it is won by pinning the opponent or is tied at the end of three rounds. A tie goes into overtime.)

On the third day of the Invitational, the bracket play began. The Hawkinator was seeded number 1 in the bracket as he was the only athlete in the 182 weight class that was undefeated from the previous day. The 182 weight class had seven athletes in the bracket.

He won his first match of bracket play by pinning his opponent in 45 seconds.

In the Championship Match for the Gold Medal, the Hawkinator was a “beast” according to the referee from the States.

As the Hawkinator knocked his opponent like he was hit by a freight train, I gasped. All I could think was, “WOW! That is my son! I have watched my wonderful boy grow into a strong young man.” He pinned his opponent in the second round in 15 seconds.

The Hawkinator started wrestling four years ago for WT Woodson High School. He won the JV Cavalier Award from Coach McCarthy at the end of his first year as a Freshman. He is now Team Captain of the AES Wrestling Team as a Senior. He is a young man that we are all extremely proud of in an infinite number of ways.

Fun Fact: the first photo is of the referee from the USA and the Hawkinator after the Championship Round. We are all from New Mexico, USA! 😊