There were people with a good deal of education - and those who likely did not finish high school. There were people of color, and those who were not. There were Republicans and Democrats, and people who could care less about politics at all. Basically, the crowd was America. Although it was interesting to contemplate the members of the crowd and their stories, it was absolutely fascinating to see the events on the mat at Brookwood.
Wrestling is a tough sport - demanding absolutely everything that the competitors have to give.
You see, even though each wrestler is on a team, wrestling is very much an individual sport. When you are out there on the mat there is really not much a teammate can do for you. It is you against the opponent with only the shouts of encouragement to spur you along. And, when that opponent is faster and stronger than you are, when that opponent is better skilled or more aggressive than you, then all of the encouragement in the world can't do a whole lot for you. There were over a hundred competitors in this particular tournament.