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It's state wrestling week — the biggest and best time of year for those who pour countless hours into a sport that has become part of Iowa's DNA.In the words of one former state champion, this week is, "More than just a competition; it’s a celebration of passion, pride, and perseverance, not only for the athletes and coaches but for the entire community that stands behind them."Tim O'Brien, of Panora, wrote those words as part of a love letter to the state tournament that he shared this week with ����vlog.You can read the full letter below, or watch the video above to hear ����vlog reporter Beau Bowman, another former wrestler, voice it over decades of state wrestling highlights.For O'Brien, and so many others, wrestling is less a sport and more a way of life. O'Brien found the mats in 1978 as a first-grader joining other pee-wees in the Stuart-Menlo youth program and went to his first state tournament in 1981. He says he looked up to the older wrestlers who worked and sweat in the same wrestling room, including his brother Dave O'Brien, a fourth-place finisher in 1985 for Stuart-Menlo.Three years later as a junior, Tim O'Brien matched his older brother when he finished in fourth place at state. He then became the Class 1A champion at 171 pounds in 1989. But even someone who climbed to the top of the medal stand admits the accomplishments take a backseat to the journey to — and through — state."It’s about the stories of grit and glory, the bonds formed through fierce competition, and the legacy of excellence passed down by each wrestler who steps into that arena," he writes. "It’s about the community coming together, celebrating the athletes who have poured their sweat and heart into their craft."O'Brien has owned and operated an insurance and investment agency in Guthrie Center for 32 years. But he's never left wrestling. He's coached every age level and was commissioner of Iowa Games Wrestling for several years. And, for the last 10 years, he's been part of a broadcast team covering high school wrestling for Raccoon Valley Radio.Scroll to read his full letter below.WATCH: Sights and sounds from Day 1 of the 2025 Iowa high school wrestling state tournamentAnticipation of the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament: A Week of Excitement and TraditionThe week of the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament is nothing short of electrifying — a whirlwind of anticipation that grows stronger with each passing day. As the event draws near, the buzz in the air is undeniable, and the excitement feels almost tangible. It’s more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of passion, pride, and perseverance, not only for the athletes and coaches but for the entire community that stands behind them.Driving to work, I feel it — those butterflies in my stomach, fluttering with the kind of thrill that only this week can bring. It's a familiar sensation, one that has been with me since my first taste of the tournament back in 1981. Just thinking about the matches ahead and the relentless dedication of these young athletes fills me with awe and a deep respect for their commitment.Throughout this week, our minds are consumed by nothing but the tournament, the weigh-ins, the matchups, the strategies, and the camaraderie that only this level of competition can forge. Each day builds upon the last, leading to that one moment, the moment when the announcer’s voice rings out, echoing through the arena, sending chills down our spines and filling our eyes with emotion.The phrase that defines this week, the one that has become a symbol of all that the tournament represents, still resonates powerfully after all these years: “Wrestlers Clear the Mats, Wrestlers Clear the Mats.” Those words hold a weight that everyone in the stands feels, whether you're a seasoned coach or a first-time spectator. It marks the start of a journey, a test of strength, skill, and heart for every wrestler stepping onto the mat.As the time draws closer, the energy in the arena reaches a fever pitch. We rise to our feet, clapping and cheering, our excitement building to an explosion. The wrestlers, calm and collected, clear the mats, signaling the start of an incredible spectacle — an awe-inspiring display of strength, strategy, and determination. It’s a moment steeped in tradition, a heartbeat of the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament that unites us all in pride and admiration.But this week is about so much more than just the matches themselves. It’s about the stories of grit and glory, the bonds formed through fierce competition, and the legacy of excellence passed down by each wrestler who steps into that arena. It’s about the community coming together, celebrating the athletes who have poured their sweat and heart into their craft.As we cheer and watch these incredible feats of athleticism unfold, we’re reminded of the core values this tournament instills — discipline, resilience, and the relentless drive to push the limits of what’s possible. The Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament is more than just an event; it’s a tribute to the human spirit, a powerful reminder of the passion and commitment that fuel greatness.So, as we clap in unison, filled with exhilaration for those iconic words, we know we’re witnessing something much greater than just a competition. We’re part of a living tradition, one that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future. And when we hear the call, “Wrestlers Clear the Mats, Wrestlers Clear the Mats,” we know — we’re about to witness something extraordinary.— Tim O’Brien, Feb. 17, 2025More high school wrestling coverage����vlog archives: Final Iowa high school wrestling state tournament at Veterans Memorial Auditorium