WINSLOW - The first day of the 61st annual Doc Wright Invitational is a testament to resiliency.

There were about 1,000 matches completed in one day between the boys and girls tournaments, including more than 700 on the boys side.

Matches were won in the final seconds. Championship dreams gone by the quarterfinals.

That’s what happens when there are more than 40 state placers from Arizona and New Mexico.

Hand raised for one, despite leading for only 10 second of the six-minute match. The other has to deal with the question of what if, and being knocked down to the consolation bracket, or eliminated on the first day of action.

“It’s tough when you see (the wrestler) putting things together, winning a match only to lose in the final seconds,” Mesa coach David DiDomenico said. “They didn’t get the pay off. The hand isn’t raised, but there are some learning moments there.”

The resiliency, however, isn’t regulated to the wrestlers. In fact, some of them are living the life during the 12-plus hour day with blow up couches and mattresses at the top concourse of the Don Petranovich Gymnasium.

Wrestler do their best to stay comfortable during the long days of the Doc Wright wrestling tournament. (Jason P. Skoda/AZPreps365)

The table workers, the janitorial staff, the referees, fans, parents, the hospitality room workers, coaches, tournament directors and so many more individuals associated with the tournament are powering through.

Mistakes are made, tears flow, hugs given. Sometimes on each corner of the mat.

Goals are met, styles clash, small school kids knock off a 6A foe, gaps are closed between common opponents, setting a seed for the next time they face off.

Upsets produce instant energy in certain corners of both gyms being utilized on for the event.

It is what the Doc Wright Invitaional is all about.

Show up. Compete. Dig deep.

Be resilient.

And it starts all over again on Saturday morning with the championship round starting in the late afternoon.