Short Time

Alex Wagner is a dropout has-been in the niche world of Vermont high school wrestling. His father, Ambrose, a beloved Marion High School legend and the only alum to win over 100 matches, passed away while Alex was in school. Wrought with grief and unable to face the immense self-imposed pressure of living up to Ambrose's name, Alex dropped out of school - a decision made easier after California state champion (and total douche bag), Steve Pisckid, moved to Vermont, making Alex's already uphill battle even more difficult. For the next decade and a half, Alex barely makes ends meet as a wrestling official, living with the regret of never landing on the "State Champion" banner alongside his late father. When Alex's old friend and teammate, Jason, the current Marion wrestling coach, drunkenly suggests that Alex go back to school and wrestle for him, Alex finds an "Air Bud"-esque loophole that allows him to do so, despite humiliation and derision from Steve, who now serves on the board of the association. Over the year, Alex faces challenges posed by his aging body, the embarrassment of his ex-girlfriend Chelsea teaching him English Literature, sabotage from Steve, and navigating the role of mentor to his teenage teammates, while on his way to championship. Alex is confident that if he can win it all then he will have been a good role model for the kids. He seems to be on the right path until the discovery of a new contender...Steve's son, Kyle. The introduction of Kyle brings back Alex's past demons, causing Alex to lose confidence. Alex mentions his concern to Chelsea, who suggests that winning a championship isn't the only way to be a good leader. Steve puts pressure on Alex by colluding with a news outlet to paint him in a bad light, causing distress among the team, particularly between Hannah, the team manager, and Sam, a hot-headed Senior. Alex sees them fighting and quits the team, believing himself to be the source of their problems. While wallowing away in his own depression, Hannah alerts Alex that Sam went out drinking and is in trouble. Alex and Hannah rescue Sam from the party and lecture him on the dangers of his behavior. Sam says that if anything happened, he could just go back to school again later...just like Alex did. Alex realizes that he has set a bad example, and decides not to abandon the team after all. In the final match of the regular season, Sam exhibits a level of self-control he hadn't yet shown, and Alex wins by pin to cap off their undefeated dual meet season. The moment is bittersweet for Alex, however, as he elects not to be recognized on "Senior Night" without any family to share it with. Later, at the state championship, Alex makes his way through the bracket, using lessons he learned from his teammates along the way. Alex faces off against Kyle in a hard-fought finals match. With thirty seconds left, Alex finds himself in a position to either hold on and wrestle for overtime, or cut Kyle and go for the win. This time, Alex chooses to put it all on the line and go for it. He secures a takedown for the lead as they go out of bounds with one second remaining, essentially securing the victory. Kyle's nose bleeds on the takedown, necessitating a stop in action. Alex sees Steve berating Kyle for losing - the opposite treatment that Alex received from his father in a similar situation years ago. In this moment, Alex realizes that there are more important things than winning. He forfeits the match with Kyle (and any hope of being on the state champion banner with Ambrose) to confront Steve and challenges him to a match of their own. Alex heroically takes down Steve, claiming that Steve already lost since his son hates him. At the end of the year banquet, Alex says that he is on track to graduate and will pursue teaching as a new career. He mentions that he has kept in touch with Kyle, serving as the kind mentor that Kyle never had. Jason and Hannah reveal that Alex won his 100th career match during the year and surprise him with a new "100 Win Club" banner, consisting of only Alex and Ambrose.