Kevin Michell, a seventh-grader from Hicksville Middle School who has cerebral palsy, showed tremendous bravery on March 20, as he accomplished his long-time dream of wrestling competitively.
Michell spent the winter season as team manager for the Hicksville Meteors middle school boys wrestling squad, but his desire to compete led him to the opportunity of a lifetime in the season finale, as Hickville’s coaching staff granted him the chance to hit the mat for the very first time. He competed in the stacked 134-pound weight class, squaring off against Nick Wolff, a tough opponent from the East Meadow Jets.
Michell walked away with his hand raised after a hard-fought match against Wolff, having earned his first victory on the wrestling mat. He impressed his teammates, coaches, family members and school faculty with a courageous showing, and East Meadow also showed great sportsmanship by giving Michell a warm welcome and a hearty round of applause for his hard work and determination.
“Every day that Kevin comes to practice, he just gets better and better,” said Hicksville Meteors co-head coach Andrew Fleitman. “I love working with him – he’s a great competitor.”
