Life is inherently competitive, a principle evident in everything from the natural world to the arenas of sports, academics, professional life, and the arts. This competitive nature inevitably creates a dichotomy of winners and losers. Just as light cannot exist without darkness, happiness is often understood in contrast to sadness. The pursuit of victory is a common goal, and while celebrating success often comes naturally, learning to navigate defeat with grace can be more challenging. Contrary to the notion that a gracious loser lacks the drive to win, true grace in defeat is a mark of character and maturity.
Looking back on a lifetime of experiences, the most profound lessons often stem from setbacks and losses. Consider pivotal moments like personal hardships – divorce, health crises, or mistakes. These experiences, while painful, can serve as powerful catalysts for growth and self-discovery, offering invaluable lessons that shape our future paths.
Transitioning to the realm of competitive sports, the same principles apply. The lessons of graciousness in both victory and defeat were solidified during high school years. In tenth grade, enduring a challenging basketball season with the Wadena High School (WHS) team, marked by numerous losses, provided a stark education in handling disappointment. Conversely, the elation of a successful season in senior year, filled with wins, offered the contrasting lesson in gracious victory. While winning is undoubtedly more enjoyable, the lessons gleaned from losing often prove to be more profoundly educational.
Reflecting on the local sports scene, the Wadena-Deer Creek (WDC) Wolverines football team recently faced a difficult season. Despite facing considerable challenges, the young team persevered, gaining experiences that will undoubtedly contribute to their development in future seasons and in life beyond football.
Delving into the archives of the Wadena Pioneer Journal, “The Time Machine” column has previously revisited periods of struggle for the WHS boys’ basketball program. While the program enjoyed periods of success in the 1920s, 1930s, and the early and late 1940s, the mid-1940s presented a tougher landscape. The 1945 team, featuring notable players like Bruce (Timmy) Wilcox, Pat Frost, and Dale Bessett, concluded with a 7-14 overall record, and a 1-11 conference standing in the “Central 8.” The subsequent 1946 season was even more challenging, with only one returning player, Kelly Baden, leading to a 1-19 finish.
The 1947 season began ominously and ended controversially. En route to their opening game in Bemidji, the team bus was involved in a collision with a lumber truck. Injuries and shock rippled through the team. The season’s final game against Staples devolved into a physical altercation, suggesting that perhaps the team was still developing their capacity for graciousness in defeat. Ultimately, the 1947 season concluded with a 2-19 record, compounding the previous year’s struggles and bringing the two-year record to a disheartening 3-38. Frustration reached a boiling point, a common occurrence in young male competition.
The 1948 season marked a turning point with the emergence of a young starting lineup. Led by senior Harry Wilcox, junior Keith Engh, and sophomores Pat Merickel and Bob Hedstrom, the team improved to a 4-16 record, setting the stage for more successful seasons in 1949 (12-8) and 1950 (17-6). However, the cyclical nature of high school sports meant the 1951 team faced a rebuild with no returning starters. Key players like Doug Imgrund, Darold Faldorf, Jim Kurz, Lloyd Tappe, and Harold Harrison guided the team to a 5-16 record. The 1952 season, again resulting in a 2-19 record, saw the return of Kurz, Tappe, and Harrison, alongside underclassman Fred Freeman. Freeman, in turn, led the 1953 team with Dick Shearer, Dale Skalisky, Gene Haight, and Jim Rice, achieving a 3-17 record, but with a more optimistic outlook for the future.
The 1960s began with consecutive seasons that yielded only four wins against 33 losses. The early 1970s continued this trend, with the first three seasons totaling just nine wins and 50 losses. The 1972 season, in particular, proved to be a significant learning experience. As a sophomore on the team that finished 4-16, the district tournament opener brought a victory against Backus. The subsequent game against Verndale, a perennial athletic powerhouse, presented a formidable challenge. Despite being heavy underdogs, Wadena surged to an early lead, only to see Verndale mount a comeback.
As the momentum shifted, a pivotal moment occurred. During a play, a strategic foul was committed to prevent an easy score. However, the execution of this decision resulted in a flagrant foul and disqualification. This incident served as a stark and humbling lesson in the heat of competition, witnessed by the opposing fans and family alike. The game concluded in a decisive Verndale victory, 83-56, further solidifying the educational impact of the experience. In the aftermath, a letter of apology was sent, reflecting on the importance of sportsmanship and accountability.
An old adage offers a valuable perspective on reframing the concepts of winning and losing: “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Ultimately, perseverance, regardless of the final score, is what truly matters. Life, like sports, will present knockdowns. The key is to rise again, persevere, and continue striving forward.
