Will Delk

[Jordan Burroughs @alliseeisgold]

My son Beacon completed the “Tournament Warrior” feat this weekend at Super 32! He lost his first match to the top seed, then battled back to win five straight and finish with a bronze medal beating the 2, 3, 4 and 5 seeds on the way. Most importantly, he displayed great poise, determination and humility. He’s a fighter. He kept finding a way to stay alive, and it was fun to watch.

We’re not on the national tournament circuit. We haven’t done Tulsa, Reno, Kids Nationals. Winning big tournaments right now isn’t high on our priority list. So when Beacon insisted on coming to Greensboro, North Carolina to compete with his teammates against the best kids in the country at Super 32, I was hesitant. Part of me would rather him just stay at home to train. But more than that, I also didn’t believe he was ready for the caliber of kids I knew he’d run into. I thought about shielding him from potentially getting his butt kicked.

After those initial thoughts, I reframed my perspective and decided to register him. Here are a few important ideas I’ve settled on:

1. Seek challenges — Adversity helps us develop, build character and get closer to the wrestler/man we eventually will become. The harder the challenge, the bigger the window for growth.

2. Wins and losses go into the same bucket. The ultimate goal is to become greater later. Until then we’re just having fun and collecting data — figuring out ways to get better.

3. Prepare them, don’t scare them. I didn’t show him the bracket. I didn’t tell him the names of anyone in his weight class, I didn’t even tell him who he’d have next round. Just bring your best stuff. Who your opponent is, is less important than the energy and intensity you bring to the match. Remember — it’s not about WHO you wrestle, but rather HOW you wrestle.

4. Ignore other parents. Most people have great intentions, but poor advice. Don’t let them project their insecurities on you. They usually have no idea what they’re talking about. Listen to your coaches instead.

5. Let your kid cry. It means they care. You don’t have to pacify them immediately after a loss. Let them sit with their emotions for a little while and learn to handle difficult moments internally.

6. Don’t yell at your kids when they lose. Self explanatory.

7. Let them eat. A full belly makes a happy wrestler. There’s way too much emphasis on going down in weight in hopes of performing better or placing higher. Bigger doesn’t always mean better. If the weight class doesn’t make sense, or you don’t feel like you can compete at the weight, stay home and wait for another opportunity. STOP cutting your kids.

8. Find a club home and stick with it. Most wrestlers have too many chefs in the kitchen. Some wrestlers are regularly attending 2-3 clubs a week with no real identity to their wrestling. More coaches aren’t the answer. Pick one club, trust the process and let it ride.

9. Dont leave the tournament when your wrestler loses. Surround your kids with positive teammates and parents willing to be mat-side and cheer on the squad even if they’ve been knocked out of the tournament. Strong communities stay to support one another no matter what!

10. Dont get too low on your kid’s losses or too high on their success. Celebrate the wins but also remember that it’s just wrestling. All of the college coaches in the arena were watching the high school matches. Not one of them was recruiting the 8u or 11u tournament. It’s not that big of a deal yet.

I realized this weekend that it’s not my job to clear the path for my kids, but only to prepare them for it. Beacon is no better a wrestler today than he was when he walked into the arena yesterday, but now he knows he belongs. And that itself was well worth the risk.

- JB

[MHS Bronco Sports @MHSBroncoSports]

🐴🏈 Calling all Bronco Fans: Tomorrow night @1BroncoFootball will take the field against @MillersFB at Bronco Stadium. Don't miss out. Kickoff is 7:00 pm.

BRING...THE...ENERGY‼️

#GoBroncos #Horsepower
@MustangSchools @MHS_Broncos
@MHSBroncosVoice @Dawn2DuskPro

[MHS Bronco Sports @MHSBroncoSports]

Van Smith is a Greco National Champion! 🏆🔥 He is bringing the title home to MUSTANG, with grit and heart! So proud of this young man! #FargoChamp #OKProud #GrecoGold #WeAreMustang

[MHS Bronco Sports @MHSBroncoSports]

Van Smith punches his ticket to the Fargo Greco Finals! 💪🔥

Proud moment for Mustang, his coaches, and all of Oklahoma! One win away from the top! #FargoFinals #OKWrestling @MustangBroncos_

[James Anderson @TakeDownAnde]

3-0 on day 1, still work to do !
@delk_will @Branch9497 @fordm99 @Coach_Manning @CoachErisman @McElfresh133 @tcarr184
#teamoklahoma

[Mustang Wrestling @MustangBroncos_]

Mustang 16u National team members getting some work in with
@Branch9497 at Wyoming and with @coachhallstar at Utah Valley!
@delk_will @o__wrestle @TakeDownAnde

[Will Delk @delk_will]

@rayzingler Hopefully he’s going to wrestle!

[James Anderson @TakeDownAnde]

Today I qualified for Fargo at 150lbs in 16u. I outscored my opponents 44-2 and Tech Falled all of my opponents.
@delk_will @MustangBroncos_
@Branch9497 @fordm99 @Coach_Manning @tcarr184 @schwabwrestling @magicman_osu @CoachErisman

[Allyson Schwab @allysonschwab]

March 2025 ➡️ March 2023.

When the results don’t reflect the work, maybe it’s time to change how you do the work, not where the work is done. In a world that hands us every excuse to point the finger elsewhere, this kid pointed it back at himself. He stayed the course, he didn’t jump ship, instead he became a more skilled captain.

Two of my favorite photos I’ve taken and for different reasons, but together they show both sides of the sport (and life) : joy and sorrow.

#caphap #wrestling #collegiatewrestling #panthertrain

[MHS Bronco Sports @MHSBroncoSports]

Thanks to World Silver Medalist and 5X NCAA All-American Daton Fix for coming out and running an incredible freestyle clinic! It was an amazing opportunity to learn from one of the best in the world! @_Greatest_Ever1 @MustangBroncos_

[Inky Johnson @inkyjohnson]

When are you at your best…

[Will Delk @delk_will]

@mikehoffmann Course

[Inky Johnson @inkyjohnson]

It’s not what you do… it’s who you are

[Brogan Hardy @HardyBrogan]

Big time!

[Inky Johnson @inkyjohnson]

Get the lesson.

[MHS Bronco Sports @MHSBroncoSports]

OVERTIME THRILLER! @KFORsports @kfor @MustangBBall1 @MHSBroncosVoice

[Will Delk @delk_will]

@mikehoffmann Passive

[James Anderson @TakeDownAnde]

Proud to say I won my first ever High School Varsity duel as a freshman. I love this program and the people in it!
Final score:
Mustang Broncos 71
Ponca City Wildcats 9
@delk_will @Branch9497 @fordm99 @magicman_osu @CowboyWrestling @thomasgilmanusa @MustangBroncos_

[Max Lopez @Magicmax05]

2-1 Broken Arrow not the results I wanted still have a lot to work on.. “THE ONLY THING YOU DESERVE IS WHAT YOU EARN” @MustangBroncos_ @delk_will

[James Anderson @TakeDownAnde]

4-2 this weekend at my first high school tourney. Not the results I wanted, but learned a few things. Back to the grind to get ready for Broken Arrow Saturday. #Broncowrestling @delk_will @Branch9497 @CoachErisman @cam5xtimer @McElfresh133