Congratulations, Dustin Carter

While we do not delve in to High School athletics very much here at WaitingForNextYear, I couldn’t pass up discussing the story of Dustin Carter – one that is long overdue.

My roommate in college is now the head wrestling coach at an Ohio school and we had been talking about this weekend, and how the State Tournament would signal an end to his first season as the HC.  While it had been grueling, we have had several chances to discuss Carter. 

For those that are unaware, this 18-year old High School wrestler had both arms and legs amputated at the age of five.   What’s even more amazing is that he is now in the quarterfinals of the coveted State Tournament after going 41-2 this season.

Michael David Smith over at the FanHouse was awesome enough to discuss the courageous efforts of Carter.  Even better is the National recognition that the Hillsboro High School student is getting in the New York Times.

His life is not easy, but he gets by just fine — particularly on the wrestling mat. His scream was his guttural recognition that he had earned a berth in the state’s Division II wrestling tournament, finishing third in his region and carving out his place among the best wrestlers in Ohio. On Thursday in Columbus, he won a match in triple overtime to reach the quarterfinals.

Carter has been able to do something that millions of wrestlers across the state have been unable to do, and he’s done it with less.  There is no telling what will happen over the next two days of competition, but you can bet that regardless of what place Carter comes in when it’s all said and done, he’s already won.

AN UPDATE: Dustin was eliminated from the tournament on friday, but enjoyed a rare video tribute and standing ovation according to the Plain Dealer-

They cheered him when he was eliminated after a consolation-round loss. They cheered even louder when he was recognized later with a special video presentation prior to the semifinals. It was the first time an eliminated wrestler had been honored in such a fashion.

Carter came out on the arena floor after the video and the sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 rose to its feet. The ovation continued for several minutes and came in waves as he smiled broadly, a touching send-off for the quadruple amputee from Hillsboro. Carter (40-4), a senior, had 90 career victories, but was one shy of a state medal.

“I’ll never forget this,” he said. “I’ll probably brag about it my whole life. I’ll probably wake up every morning and remember these last two days, this whole year, all the hard work I put in, the blood, the sweat, the tears to get to this tournament.”

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