Bryan’s Blog: Olympics emotions can be so raw for others to watch

By Bryan Van Kley

And now for most everyone, it is time to celebrate.

Jake Varner completed his journey of achieving his ultimate goal in winning gold for the U.S. today at 211.5 pounds. Following in the footsteps of his coach from start to finish, Varner went to Ames, Iowa, because he knew Sanderson was the best one for him in regards to helping him reach his Olympic dream.

Bryan Van Kley

That trail took him from Ames, to State College, Pa, and now to the Olympic mats in London, England. Varner’s two-period win in the finals helped the U.S. team end on a very high note.

For me, in glancing over the articles that have been circulated through our home page, it’s great to see the medalists — Clarissa Chun, Coleman Scott, Jordan Burroughs and now Jake Varner — smiling and so excited. It’s great to see them going home with Olympic hardware after so many years of tireless work.

But in covering our U.S. teams, you know there’s 13 other athletes leaving London very, very disappointed. And like is very typical in wresting, it’s sometimes those searing losses that stick with you as a wrestler, coach and even media person more than the mountain-top wins.

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