KHAK.com reported a touching story on high school sportsmanship and honor in the Iowa high school wrestling community. Austin Roberts, who was a 220 lbs varsity wrestler with 14-0 record, collapsed during a match at the Spencer Tiger Invitational on December 19th and passed away later that evening at the hospital. This past Thursday, January 7th, the Spencer High School wrestling team faced Estherville-Lincoln Central High School in the team’s first dual meet since Austin’s passing. Despite being down 22-3 in the dual meet, the Esterville-Lincoln Central coaches and the team’s 220 lbs wrestler Amed Castro-Chavez decided to honor Austin by forfeiting the match and giving Austin’s mom a hug. This was a very touching moment that inspired the crowded gymnasium to give the wrestlers, coaches, and Austin’s family a standing ovation.
Amed, who lost to Austin earlier in the wrestling season, told the Sioux City Journal, “I wanted to show Austin’s family respect because they are grieving. I told Austin’s mom that I wished I could wrestle Austin again because he was such a good wrestler.”
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