Praise God! Thank you for sharing that Jerry.

Tyler Watts Beloit 145lb 3A. Had high hopes of placing his senior year. Thee time state qualifier. Broke his arm at State. In surgery now to install plate. Keep him your thoughts today.

Jerry,

I had no idea. I really don't even know what to say. Luke definitely has the heart of a Champion and the mental drive to overcome a lot of adversity. He should be very successful in years to come as the work ethic he displayed will open many, many doors for him. I am so glad that he has recovered to the extent that he has and was able to compete and compete well at State in his Senior Campaign.

By the way, I am pretty sure that Luke and Garrett never wrestled each other but I do remember seeing Luke's name in a few of his brackets in Kids' Fed and remember thinking that would be a tough match based on results that I had seen for Luke in other tournaments. Thanks for sharing your story and I too hope that it will help other youngsters make good decisions. Seat belts do save lives and no argument can dispute that. Thanks again and tell Luke there are a lot of us who are proud of him and admire his come back from this devastating event.

Tough way for a Senior to end their high school career. I have added Tyler to the 3A/2A/1A Senior Class "All Glue Team". I hadn't updated this class yet to add other Honorable Mentions but based on what I see in that bracket he would have made the team. Thanks for the information and I hope that Tyler has a successful surgery and recovery.

I updated the 3A/2A/1A Senior Class "All Glue Team" with additional Honorable Mentions.

Jerry,

Two years ago my son Spencer was also in an accident similar to your sons. I understand what your family has been through and I am also glad you shared his journey back.

4A UPDATED - with Honorable Mention (HM)!

106 Tyler Hildibrand (Augusta)
113 Chance Maynard (Buhler)
120 Jacob Christie (Wamego)
126 Jerad Heckman (Ft Scott)
132 Cameron Niemtschk (Andover Cent) HM= Dylan Eck (Andale)
138 Brook Bahe (Goodland) HM=Daniel Thomas (El Dorado)
145 Grady Ware (Clay Center)HM=Bryce Golightly (Royal Valley)
152 Brendan Pribil (Pratt) HM=Thomas Rickley (Clay Center)
160 John Whitworth (Iola), Cory McCleary (Basehor-Linwood), Kossivi Esse (KC Sumner Academy)
170 Wright Bosley (Augusta), Caleb Parenti (Ottawa) HM=Colton Cooper (Goodland)
182 Garrett Taylor (Goodland), Ryan Madigral (Bishop Miege)
HM=RJ Whittaker (PL), Kyle Mick (Holton)
195 Luke Carey (Tonganoxie), HM=Henry Hickert (Buhler), Bradley Van Hoose (Columbus)
220 Dalton Holt (Wellington), Gus Farthing (Burlington) HM=Keenan Dodd (Parsons), Kyle Marks (Concordia)
285 Kaiden Reed (Larned) HM=Blake Aitchison (Augusta)

Mr. Wassel,

Thank you for sharing. I knew Luke was a gutsy kid by the way he wrestled, but had no idea what he had to overcome to get there!

Congrats to him and your whole family!

Kale Mann