My high school wrestling coach Bill Flake was inducted into the Placer High School Athletic Hall of Fame last night. He was also my freshman football coach. As much as anyone, this man taught me how to be a champion and made me a champion (1973 Sierra Foothill League Wrestling Champion at 177 lbs.) when I was a senior. The recent story that stands out was when Joe Cavallaro retired we were talking and he had to tell Charlie Lee, Bella Vista’s legendary wrestling coach, what he knew about all my successes with yearbook and teaching. Pretty amazing when your high school wrestling coach still cares about your accomplishments 40 years after you competed for him.

When we took this photo, coach grabbed my hand and lifted it high just as the referee would after a victory on the mat. Thanks coach.