The program was cut earlier this year, but coaches and wrestlers took it on their own to restore it
CHEBOYGAN, MI -- Wrestling usually comes down to the survival of the fittest.
That's why Cheboygan grappler's couldn't grasp having their program axed earlier this year.
They took it in their own hands to help the program survive.
"It was shocking because you know I wasn't really expecting that, that they were going to cut programs this year, and we were one of the first to go, so I was really shocked," said Senior wrestler Jacob Bourgeois.
Earlier this year, the Cheboygan wrestling team got the ultimate beat down and were pinned. The school district decided the wrestling program was done.
"I wasn't too happy about it, actually it was a possibility I was going to be switching schools because I didn't want to do it," said Junior Guy Herro.
"The only people you hurt are the kids, but it's a hard time financially," said Cheboygan Athletic Director Steve Parker.
It was a tough loss. But the team didn't tap out. They got back on the mat and went at it again, and this time, they escaped and got a win. Albert Bettis is the coach. He wrestled on the same team years ago.
"We came down to the point where it was like I'm going to do what I can do to keep this program in place, keep this so others have the same opportunity that I had," said Cheboygan Wrestling Coach Albert Bettis.
"We came up with plans to get it back, and finally we hear we are going to get it back, but it's going to be self-funded," said Herro.
Coaches and grapplers did a lot of off the mat work to make this season possible. They figure it's going to cost $4,000 to $5,000 to be a self-funded wrestling team to get through this season.
"We are going to have the program this year, it's just the matter that we need to raise the funds, and we're going to have everything in place here," said Bettis.
Being self-funded, the wrestling team won't receive any funding from the school. And that's what they need to find money to grapple with. In September, the team is going to host Support Cheboygan Showdown, a tournament that the team hopes will bring in some extra money.
"Hopefully get lots of guys from around the state here to come help support us and save our program because we need to keep all the wrestling programs we can in this state," said Bettis.
But for wrestlers, this is the big picture: They're going to be able to do what they love.
The school district cut three freshman sports teams and fall cheerleading along with the wrestling program.
However, like wrestling, cheerleaders will be on the sidelines during football games, self-funded like the wrestlers.
Cheboygan Wrestling Facebook...just search Cheboygan Wrestling.
If you'd like to donate, you can by sending a check to:
Cheboygan Wrestling
C/O Coach Albert Bettis
348 Young St
Cheboygan, MI 49721
