The VikinglandSports.com Male Athlete of the Week is Chad Knapp of the Parkers Prairie wrestling team.
Chad came to our attention when Panthers' head coach, Bill Wagner, sent us an article that was written by assistant coach Paul Walsh, who has graciously given his permission to print that article here.
Local wrestler reaches Milestone Victory!
Last Saturday in Menagha, a Parkers Prairie wrestler accomplished a goal he set for himself five years ago.
No, this isn’t a story of a wrestler obtaining his 100th win or winning a conference or section tourney or placing at State. However, his accomplishment is every bit as meaningful.
Chad Knapp began wrestling for the Panthers five years ago. His initial goal was really quite simple. He wanted to win a match. Because Chad has a form of cerebral palsey that limits the use of his legs, this wasn’t going to happen overnight. As his coach, I have to admit there were times when I wondered if it was going to happen at all. Wrestling can be a very difficult sport and it’s even tougher when you are starting at a disadvantage. Chad would start matches from a kneeling position and most wrestlers would run around behind him with ease and then begin to deliver what only could be described as a physical pounding of his body trying to turn Chad over for a pin.
Chad took on this challenge with an unbelievable amount of optimism and determination. The first step for Chad was to be able to get through an entire match without getting pinned. Through hours and hours of hard work Chad accomplished this goal a couple years ago. The entire crowd realized how difficult it was to stay off your back for that long (6 minutes) and responded with a standing ovation. I suppose Chad could have thought 'I did it, I didn’t get pinned' and be satisfied with that. But if you think that, you just don’t know Chad. Chad continued to come to practice every day and work incredibly hard to obtain his original goal. Despite not seeing any physical results, he not only continued to press on, each and every time he stepped on the mat he expected to win.
As time went on Chad filled in for the Panthers at the varsity and JV level and his record will show that he attained some victories but they came by the way of receiving forfeits for his team. Forfeit victories are extremely valuable to the team as they score team points, but they come as a result of the other team not being able to field a wrestler at that particular weight due to illness, injury, etc. As coaches, we pointed out to Chad that he earned those victories by successfully completing all the rigors of making a varsity team, such as practice participation, academics, and good sportsmanship. Whereas, Chad was happy to contribute to the team in this way, after receiving those forfeit victories each time he said "this is good but it doesn’t accomplish my goal as an on the mat win. I still need to make that goal."
Just like other Panther wrestlers Chad continued to look for ways to get better. He worked with his conditioning coach to build up his upper body strength. He worked with his coaches and alumni to try to find a way to make his unique style of wrestling effective. But mostly, he kept his head up and stuck to the goal of winning that match.
This brings us to Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Menagha. Chad had what looked like to be just another rough day as he was defeated by two stronger opponents. Chad approached his last match of the day like he’s approached every match in the last five years. As Chad's match was approaching he asked his coach if he had time to "work up a sweat before I go out there." Chad then prepared himself to wrestle his third match of the day, determined he would find a way. He began the match with patience; but when the opportunity arose he took a deep leg shot and using a technique he had been working on in the weeks prior he used his shoulder to push his opponent backwards. In wrestling, many times the difference between winning and losing is seizing a opportunity or opening that may last a fraction of a second. Chad had that opening that day and he pounced on it. He took his opponent to his back and never let him off. The referee slapped the mat and Chad had a series of firsts. He scored his first take down, he scored his first back points, and with the first period pin; he secured his first win.
Chad received the congratulations not only from his coaches and teammates, but also from several of the opposing coaches and competitors. His accomplishment is noteworthy because of his perseverance, despite the odds. Now, many of you that know Chad will know what he said after the match...
"This is just the start! Now I gotta keep it going."
First of all, congratulation to Chad on his accomplishments. Secondly, thank you to coaches Wagner and Walsh for sharing the story.
VikinglandSports.com asked coach Wagner for his thoughts.
"Every coach dreams of coaching athletes like Chad Knapp. He works hard and is always flashing that smile of his even if he is doing Gut Busters. His attitude and demeanor are infectious and build team report. Chad continually works to improve himself. He works with the weight coach Rich Powers every day. Coach Walsh and Chad go over technique daily to improve and make adjustments. Knapp has also implored the services of alumni wrestler Jason Arvidson to help with his breakdowns and pinning combinations. So you see Chad is continually striving to improve and excel himself.
Chad is the kid you want your children to hang out with. He has a great sense of humor and is willing to take a joke. He also respects others feelings and decisions even if he doesn’t agree with them. Chad has set goals for himself and won't let obstacles get in the way. Chad Knapp treats people how people should be treated, with respect and dignity.
How would you feel if Gandhi walked in the room? If Lincoln was walking past you on the street. If Brett Favre stopped by your house. Well, that is how I feel every day when Chad walks in the room. I always think, 'WOW! What am I complaining about?' He makes you want to be a better person and strive to excel. He never complains, just asks. 'What next coach?' He teaches all of us it’s not about winning or losing it's HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME. It’s about making yourself better one piece at a time. Perserverance!"
In order to learn a little more about Chad, VikinglandSports.com also asked him to share some of likes/dislikes, etc. Here are his answers:
Family (Mother's and father's names, occupations; siblings' names and ages): Mom- Becky Lee (Works with adults with special needs); Dad- Doug Knapp (Paz Excavating); Stepdad- Tim Lee (Propane Man at Dick’s Standard); Stepsister- Lacy Lee (21); Stepbrother- Eric Lee (29)
Favorite Sport: Wrestling
Favorite Team: Vikings
Favorite Athlete: Adrian Peterson
Favorite Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite Movie (all time): The Blindside
Movie you'd recommend seeing now: Avatar
Favorite Musical Artist (this week): Eric Church
Favorite Musical Artist (all time): Bon Jovi
Favorite Song (this week): Pants on the Ground
Favorite Song (all time): Heart of the Champion
Favorite Subject in school: History
Least Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Activities/Hobbies: Sports, videogames, pitting at the races
If you were stranded on an island, five (5) people and/or things you want to have with you: TV with dish, phone, Jarred Allen, Brett Favre, PS3
One thing that very few people know about you: I have had eight (8) surgeries.
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