To the editor,

On the morning of Feb. 23, I rushed to my local Cumbys to grab the weekly edition of the Bristol Phoenix, anxiously awaiting the article on the achievement of the Kickemuit Middle School boys wrestling team state title. Of course I have personal interest in this article since my son won the 126 weight state title and is a member of this amazing team.

I pull up, run in and grab a copy from the stand and much to my chagrin, the front page was covered with the Mt. Hope High School girls gymnastic team with the announcement of their state title. I was very happy for them. That was equally exciting news. But I wondered where was the KMS article. It clearly wasn’t shared on the front page with the high school gymnastics team.  

I begin frantically flipping through the pages. Low and behold, I come to a full page of gymnastics photographs but still nothing on the wrestling team. As I flipped the very last page over, there it was, a picture and a very small write-up. 

Really, back page news? That what these coaches and kids worked so hard for? I felt it was a slap in the face to a team that worked incredibly hard all year to be put on the back page of the paper. The young men train 5 days a week, have to watch what they eat to make weight, and many of them have been working for years to get to this point. This is the first time in 10 years that KMS has won the state title and not only did they win it, they pummeled the next closest team by 71 points. 

In addition, they tied the long-standing school record, producing five state title holders and had a record 12 of 15 wrestlers on the team placing 6th or better. Let’s not forget the fact that some of the JV wrestlers participated in a tournament a few weeks prior and earned first places to advance them to the state tournament where they beat varsity players. Specifically, Mason Furtardo who is a JV wrestler and earned the right to wrestle at the states because he took first in his weight class at the Future’s Tournament. How about Cory Grifka being named Middle School Wrestler of the Year? There are so many stories that went uncovered.  

I am appalled at the lack of sensitivity to give equal space and recognition to both state championship teams. The front page could have easily been shared by both teams, not to mention the inside full page as well. We have amazing photographs of these young men on the mat doing their job to win state titles and you failed to give our sons and coaches the proper recognition they deserve. They are worth much more than back page news.

Jamie Brooks
Bristol