Deven Schuko, a wrestler and a great human being, is being applauded for giving his opponent the victory. Schuko, who was undefeated, let Andy Howland, a teenage wrestler with Down syndrome win and have a moment in the spotlight.
Deven Schuko, a wrestler and a kind young man from Massachusetts, is making headlines for a beautiful gesture he made towards another student. Over the weekend, friends, family members, and students gathered at Norton High School in Norton, Massachusetts for a wrestling match.
Deven Schuko is the captain of the Norton High School wrestling team, he is 27-0 this year, and he recently earned his 100th career victory. Andy Howland, a Dighton-Rehoboth High School wrestler with Down syndrome, who loves to smile, was brave enough to challenge Schuko, and he accepted. Schuko said:
“He wanted a match, and I wanted to tangle with him.”
Schuko, the undefeated captain, faced off the student with special needs and gave his opponent a victory he will never forget. The local high school wrestling match was filmed, and the video is going viral, and thousands of people are praising the athlete with a big heart.
Dighton-Rehoboth High School Athletic Director Doug Kelley said after the match:
“When you get a story like this, and a fine young man like Deven can step up and wrestle our Andy Howland, you know, he’s in for a tussle.”
Norton wrestling coach Pat Coleman added:
“Deven Schuko, he’s a class act. Deven has a natural respect for any wrestler, such as Andy, and I think Deven just proved there that it’s never wrong to do the right thing,”
Schuko, who is also a Lancer co-captain, explained that when Howland came looking to compete, he did not hesitate, and he was happy to have his perfect record demolished by him. Schuko said:
“He threw in a good move. He was strong. He’s a tough kid. If I had to lose to someone, I’d like to lose to Andy. It was a win-win in my book. He won, I won.”
He added:
“It’s humbling I guess and pretty cool for all the attention for a simple act of kindness.”
Howland, who has been competing for over seven years, says he fights with a smile because Jesus Christ is always with him.
What are your thoughts on wrestler Deven Schuko’s sportsmanship?
