An incredible start to a new journey

BY BRANT PARSONS —If you'll let me indulge myself a little bit.

Last May, the new owners of Tribune Publishing gave me an offer that I just couldn't refuse.

After working in the sports department at the Orlando Sentinel for over 16 years, I accepted a generous buyout and began a new adventure that had only existed in my dreams to that point - my very own wrestling website.

My final day of work at the Sentinel was June 25 and the next morning, Kabra Wrestling was launched.

Since then I've learned how to build a website, how to present content and rankings and all of the other things that go into running a small business.

I've had some ideas for Kabra work and some that didn't, but all of them tapped into my creative yearn and quest to have the best website possible.

This past weekend, while covering my 18th Florida high school wrestling tournament, I was amazed at how many things felt comfortably the same, and how many were freshly different now that I was representing my own company in my work.

I always loved working at the Orlando Sentinel, but this year I was defining Kabra Wrestling and by extension, myself and my dream.

When I walked out of the empty arena on Saturday night and the inevitable realization hit that the season that seemed so long in hours spent working, actually flew by and was over, I was both exhausted and energized at the thought.

I'm so sad to see this season end, and I can't wait to start covering the next one.

And as I reflect on my first season covering the sport as Kabra Wrestling, I'm humbled by the support that I've received from you, my Kabra Wrestling audience.

You've shown your love in so many ways and not just limited to donations and subscriptions - though those certainly help.

You follow my social media pages, you tell friends and family about my site, you give me information, and most of all you allow me into your special world of wrestling and for that I'm forever grateful.

I'm touched by the families who reach out and tell me how I've added value to their love of this perfect sport and I enjoy that many are so passionate about it, they find value in my rankings and predictions and experience joy when they outperform my evaluations.

I gleefully answer each email and text and instant message and Instagram message and Twitter direct message and any other way that people reach out to me.

My goal is to be accessible to all and transparent in my coverage. I will never back away from explaining my process and also to admit when I was incorrect or as so often happens, proven wrong.

And the best part about this journey is that it's only just beginning.

The next season starts today.

I hope you continue to take this journey with me.

Brant Parsons is the founder and executive editor of Kabra Wrestling. He has been covering high school wrestling in Florida since 2004. He can be reached at brant@kabrawrestling.com.