Local parent excited for return of youth sports

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After a three week suspension, youth sports and activities are back starting Monday in Lancaster County and one local mother is ecstatic about that news.

Wrestling season is the greatest time of year for Christina Thomsen and her son Ian, who has been wrestling for the past 13 years. Ian, a senior at Lincoln Southeast High school, started his wresting journey in kindergarten and has considered the mat his second home, so when he got the news youth sports were paused three weeks ago, he was devastated.

“I know that a lot of parents are worried about COVID and I am absolutely, but with him being a senior it’s like this has to do with college, this is huge,” Christina Thomsen said. “This is not just a sport, this has been a part of his life forever and it always will be.”

But starting Monday that devastation is turning into hope. Both Ian and his mom are beyond excited to have wrestling back and no longer practices through a webcam.

“I mean they have been doing zoom wresting practices this whole time so they have been doing it, just at home,” Thomsen said. “But it’s just not the same.”

Thomsen said she feels safe allowing her son back on the mat and doing what he loves. She believes the coaching staff will put forth good safety protocols for the wrestlers and have a successful season.

“It’s so hard as a parent to have a senior,” Thomsen said. “Last year they didn’t get prom, they won’t get prom this year, there are just so many things that have been taken away and for this part of it, wresting, which is something he is going to do in college…it’s crazy.”