We believe there’s something more important than just winning or losing a tournament. We believe that the team, school, and fans who support their athletes with dignity and class are the true champions. That’s why we’ve proudly sponsored the WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award for 55 years.
We would like to congratulate the Winneconne Wolves on being this year’s recipient of the Team Wrestling Sportsmanship Award.
When talking with Coaches Tyler Lee and Boone Roycraft, we asked them what this award meant to them as coaches, the team, and the community along with how they teach their athletes about sportsmanship.
This award means a lot to us as coaches because it speaks highly of the work our student-athletes put in and how they present themselves. They represented Winneconne well in both wins and defeats. Winning the sportsmanship award also speaks volumes about our community and how they raise their children. Without the parents’ support and guidance with their children, none of the team’s success would be possible. As coaches, we instill life lessons during team meetings that go far beyond the sport of wrestling.
One concept we teach them about is called “BCD”. The acronym stands for blaming, complaining, and being defensive. We teach them about living above the line and holding each other accountable. Living above the line doesn’t have room for BCD, and I believe that has helped us become closer as a team as well. Sportsmanship is important to our coaching staff because we want our students to be remembered for how they made others feel. We believe that athletic success is amazing but academics and sportsmanship are vital in developing young student-athletes. Much of our team will volunteer to help our youth program as well; this award reinforces the influence and positive impact this team has and can be spread to our overall program, school, and community.
Coach Roycraft has been coaching for four years at the high school level. Coach Roycraft commented – “My favorite part about coaching is building relationships with the student-athletes and getting them to believe in the work they do each day to be successful in wrestling and life.” Coach Lee has been coaching wrestling for 14 years. Coach Lee went on to comment that – “My favorite part of coaching continues to be seeing the impact beyond students’ high school years. I enjoy hearing from my previous athletes and how they are continuing to use the lessons they’ve learned through school and sports.”
Congratulations again on a great season and winning the WIAA/Rural Mutual Sportsmanship Award. This is a great achievement for the Winneconne Community.
