Richard O. Haight, '71

The seemingly insignificant events at Lawrence have reverberated throughout my life like the smooth melancholy notes of Professor Levy's horn in Blackberry Winter. Lawrence is twice the size of my Iowa high school, and by midterm I still hadn't found my niche outside the classroom.

Arriving one afternoon for my weightlifting class at Alexander Gym, I noticed my instructor, a senior named Mark Hoskins ['68], working out in the wrestling room with Harvey Takamoto ['68]. Harvey was smaller but badgered Mark mercilessly as he circled and dived for a takedown. Reminded of home and the years I had spent wrestling, I hesitantly asked if I could join them. Five minutes later they welcomed me to the wrestling team.

For thirty years I hadn't given that encounter much thought. Harvey and Mark surely have forgotten it. Then I read in the Lawrentian that Mark's son, Mike Hoskins, '98, had been named Academic All-American in wrestling.

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