New Story: The real story of Yonger Bastida was never about one match

[jcordova8]

Hi everyone!

I have been working on this story all week. I've written it and rewritten it 100x. I had Randy Peterson read it for me too because I needed it to be as close to perfect as I could. Yonger's story is so special to me because his story IS special. It's been such an incredible journey not only as a reporter but just as a fan. He's been so entertaining to watch even from his early matches when he was learning folkstyle and how to get out from bottom (lol).

But most importantly, as a person. I've watched him truly transform in interviews. I will find those early interviews but he's just so different in all the best ways because it goes to show how he became comfortable and began to find himself in this new world he calls home.

I hope you all love it and I hope those who don't know Yonger and are casual fans that like to pop in sometimes read it and learn something about the special heavyweight who leaves a huge impact on all who have had the privilege of getting to know him.

The real story of Yonger Bastida was never about one match - Cyclone Fanatic

The clock hit zero inside Rocket Arena in Cleveland, and for a moment, everything felt still. Not just because a national title had just been decided, but because something else had ended, too. Yonger Bastida sat at the center of it, the final seconds of his match behind him, the weight of it...

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[4theheckofit]

It's rather dusty in here...

 

[crablegs]

Really great article. Unfortunately it is going to be almost unreadable due to the ads. Took a considerable effort to have to close an ad every 30 seconds and reconfigure the page to where I was at in the article.

Already shared it with two other ISU wrestling fans who gave up on trying to make their way through it.

 

[ARCYCLONE]

Really excited to read this as I've enjoyed your articles and posts on ISU wrestling and think Yonger is a great example of an ISU athlete, but.... Randy Peterson?? seriously??

 

[jkbuff98]

Excellent , you really captured it , glad I waited to read it until I got home .

 

[JM4CY]

This is incredible, Miss Cordova. Wow.

 

[Eagle78]

What an inspiring story behind all the great memories he gave us on the mat. I'm so glad Yonger is and always will be a Cyclone.

 

[jcordova8]

Really great article. Unfortunately it is going to be almost unreadable due to the ads. Took a considerable effort to have to close an ad every 30 seconds and reconfigure the page to where I was at in the article.

Already shared it with two other ISU wrestling fans who gave up on trying to make their way through it.

Put your browser in “reader mode” if you have an iPhone you’ll click the top left and it’ll be a blue button. It’ll completely clear your screen so you can read it the same way you read a book on a kindle. It’ll make it easier to read and dodge them.

Please read it. I really want to hear what you think about it!!!

 

[NavyClone89]

Excellent read!

 

[jcordova8]

Really excited to read this as I've enjoyed your articles and posts on ISU wrestling and think Yonger is a great example of an ISU athlete, but.... Randy Peterson?? seriously??

Randy is a great editor! And he gives me great detailed feedback that is helpful to the structure of my writing. I feel like editing his work has honestly helped me be a better writer!

Plus, Randy loves wrestling and is a huge fan of Kevin Dresser!

 

[CyGold]

Great article! Thanks for writing it. Also thanks to Yonger and Coach Fernando for making Cyclone Nation proud. I hope to reading another similar piece next year on AE. Maybe he can win the big one for Yonger.

 

[crablegs]

Put your browser in “reader mode” if you have an iPhone you’ll click the top left and it’ll be a blue button. It’ll completely clear your screen so you can read it the same way you read a book on a kindle. It’ll make it easier to read and dodge them.

Please read it. I really want to hear what you think about it!!!

Read it and it was great. Very well written. It does a great job telling the whole story and capturing all of the emotion.

 

[csteve]

Hi everyone!

I have been working on this story all week. I've written it and rewritten it 100x. I had Randy Peterson read it for me too because I needed it to be as close to perfect as I could. Yonger's story is so special to me because his story IS special. It's been such an incredible journey not only as a reporter but just as a fan. He's been so entertaining to watch even from his early matches when he was learning folkstyle and how to get out from bottom (lol).

But most importantly, as a person. I've watched him truly transform in interviews. I will find those early interviews but he's just so different in all the best ways because it goes to show how he became comfortable and began to find himself in this new world he calls home.

I hope you all love it and I hope those who don't know Yonger and are casual fans that like to pop in sometimes read it and learn something about the special heavyweight who leaves a huge impact on all who have had the privilege of getting to know him.

The real story of Yonger Bastida was never about one match - Cyclone Fanatic

The clock hit zero inside Rocket Arena in Cleveland, and for a moment, everything felt still. Not just because a national title had just been decided, but because something else had ended, too. Yonger Bastida sat at the center of it, the final seconds of his match behind him, the weight of it...

cyclonefanatic.com

Very nice article! Thank you for that and all you do for Cyclone Wrestling!

 

[Ryan Rohlk]

Hi everyone!

I have been working on this story all week. I've written it and rewritten it 100x. I had Randy Peterson read it for me too because I needed it to be as close to perfect as I could. Yonger's story is so special to me because his story IS special. It's been such an incredible journey not only as a reporter but just as a fan. He's been so entertaining to watch even from his early matches when he was learning folkstyle and how to get out from bottom (lol).

But most importantly, as a person. I've watched him truly transform in interviews. I will find those early interviews but he's just so different in all the best ways because it goes to show how he became comfortable and began to find himself in this new world he calls home.

I hope you all love it and I hope those who don't know Yonger and are casual fans that like to pop in sometimes read it and learn something about the special heavyweight who leaves a huge impact on all who have had the privilege of getting to know him.

The real story of Yonger Bastida was never about one match - Cyclone Fanatic

The clock hit zero inside Rocket Arena in Cleveland, and for a moment, everything felt still. Not just because a national title had just been decided, but because something else had ended, too. Yonger Bastida sat at the center of it, the final seconds of his match behind him, the weight of it...

cyclonefanatic.com

Great read JC.

Out of all my Yonger stories with my interactions with him over the years, this one always sticks out, please bear with me.

A few years back, Carey Kemna graciously had an NIL deal with Yonger to get him a vehicle. My wife, Patty, and I picked it up at the dealership in Fort Dodge, and drove it down to Ames to give to Yonger after practice.

Yonger was one of the last people to leave Lied that day, and when he came out, I gave him the keys to this tricked-out Ford Bronco. Yonger became very emotional.

Anthony was there, so I asked Ech what's the deal with Yonger, is he okay? Anthony told me that, you don't understand Ryan, in Cuba nobody has cars, that's like someone here in America having a private jet. If we go anywhere, we get around on bicycles. All of my family has bicycles, but Yonger's family is so poor, they don't even have bicycles. They walk.

Wrap your head around that, it took me a few moments to grasp what Carey Kemna had done for Yonger. A completely new way of life for him.

Side note, Nate Schon was so kind and patient in showing Yonger how to work everything in that vehicle, Nate is a great kid.

I am blessed to know Yonger Bastida.

Have a great week everyone, hang on to your hats.

Ryan

 

[jcordova8]

Great read JC.

Out of all my Yonger stories with my interactions with him over the years, this one always sticks out, please bear with me.

A few years back, Carey Kemna graciously had an NIL deal with Yonger to get him a vehicle. My wife, Patty, and I picked it up at the dealership in Fort Dodge, and drove it down to Ames to give to Yonger after practice.

Yonger was one of the last people to leave Lied that day, and when he came out, I gave him the keys to this tricked-out Ford Bronco. Yonger became very emotional.

Anthony was there, so I asked Ech what's the deal with Yonger, is he okay? Anthony told me that, you don't understand Ryan, in Cuba nobody has cars, that's like someone here in America having a private jet. If we go anywhere, we get around on bicycles. All of my family has bicycles, but Yonger's family is so poor, they don't even have bicycles. They walk.

Wrap your head around that, it took me a few moments to grasp what Carey Kemna had done for Yonger. A completely new way of life for him.

Side note, Nate Schon was so kind and patient in showing Yonger how to work everything in that vehicle, Nate is a great kid.

I am blessed to know Yonger Bastida.

Have a great week everyone, hang on to your hats.

Ryan

See its stories like these that I wish I could squeeze into this but of course, its hard to truly paint the picture and include them all. I wanted to be thoughtful of Yonger when highlighting the realities while still giving enough to hopefully give people who don't know him a better understanding that Yonger truly went through an extreme change!

I know Yonger and Anthony came from somewhere where life is so different from ours and I think that's why I hold them so close to the heart. Thank you for sharing Ryan. My heart couldn't handle witnessing Yonger react to that truck. I would've cried. I nearly cried all of March haha

 

[BirdOfWar]

Great read JC.

Out of all my Yonger stories with my interactions with him over the years, this one always sticks out, please bear with me.

A few years back, Carey Kemna graciously had an NIL deal with Yonger to get him a vehicle. My wife, Patty, and I picked it up at the dealership in Fort Dodge, and drove it down to Ames to give to Yonger after practice.

Yonger was one of the last people to leave Lied that day, and when he came out, I gave him the keys to this tricked-out Ford Bronco. Yonger became very emotional.

Anthony was there, so I asked Ech what's the deal with Yonger, is he okay? Anthony told me that, you don't understand Ryan, in Cuba nobody has cars, that's like someone here in America having a private jet. If we go anywhere, we get around on bicycles. All of my family has bicycles, but Yonger's family is so poor, they don't even have bicycles. They walk.

Wrap your head around that, it took me a few moments to grasp what Carey Kemna had done for Yonger. A completely new way of life for him.

Side note, Nate Schon was so kind and patient in showing Yonger how to work everything in that vehicle, Nate is a great kid.

I am blessed to know Yonger Bastida.

Have a great week everyone, hang on to your hats.

Ryan

Tell me more??

 

[buf87]

Great read JC.

Out of all my Yonger stories with my interactions with him over the years, this one always sticks out, please bear with me.

A few years back, Carey Kemna graciously had an NIL deal with Yonger to get him a vehicle. My wife, Patty, and I picked it up at the dealership in Fort Dodge, and drove it down to Ames to give to Yonger after practice.

Yonger was one of the last people to leave Lied that day, and when he came out, I gave him the keys to this tricked-out Ford Bronco. Yonger became very emotional.

Anthony was there, so I asked Ech what's the deal with Yonger, is he okay? Anthony told me that, you don't understand Ryan, in Cuba nobody has cars, that's like someone here in America having a private jet. If we go anywhere, we get around on bicycles. All of my family has bicycles, but Yonger's family is so poor, they don't even have bicycles. They walk.

Wrap your head around that, it took me a few moments to grasp what Carey Kemna had done for Yonger. A completely new way of life for him.

Side note, Nate Schon was so kind and patient in showing Yonger how to work everything in that vehicle, Nate is a great kid.

I am blessed to know Yonger Bastida.

Have a great week everyone, hang on to your hats.

Ryan

So does Yonger have a driver’s license??????

 

[jcordova8]

So does Yonger have a driver’s license??????

I believe when we made his NIL shirt it meant he has a visa and visa holders are allowed to have drivers licenses!

 

[Ryan Rohlk]

So does Yonger have a driver’s license??????

I probably should have checked on that.

 

[Ryan Rohlk]

I believe when we made his NIL shirt it meant he has a visa and visa holders are allowed to have drivers licenses!

And he even had auto insurance.