Takedown Report

Berger, Huskers Connect With Local Wrestler

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Great positive human interest story from the land of the Cornhuskers.
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Walk through an airport wearing a T-Shirt that indicates you’re affiliated with wrestling, and you’re bound to have some stranger strike up a conversation with you about the sport. It’s representative of a strong bond between competitors and coaches, and even wrestling fans; a special connection that’s arguably different from more mainstream sports, like football or basketball. “The wrestling family is that – it’s a family,” Nebraska senior wrestler Tyler Berger said. “We take care of each other.” It’s especially true at Nebraska. That family feel is also a big reason Berger felt honored to be able to connect with 16-year-old Harley Kessler, a wrestler at North Star High School diagnosed in August with Osteosarcoma. It’s the same type of rare bone cancer that brought national awareness to Purdue student and football fan Tyler Trent. “When I reached out to Harley,” Berger said, “I wanted him to know he has a family here, that it’s not just the Division I program, the Huskers and then the high school programs. We’re all in it together.”

Kessler had begun experiencing severe leg pain when a bone scan revealed a mass in his tibia. The cancer became so severe that in mid-December, doctors had to amputate his left leg below the knee. When Kessler awoke from that surgery, he saw a pair of wrestling shoes. They were from Berger, who’d sent them to the hospital via the North Star coaches. Berger also wrote Kessler a letter of inspiration. And on Sunday, Kessler’s dream of a Nebraska wrestling experience, granted through Union Bank and Trust’s Magic Moments, culminated when he served as an honorary captain during the Huskers’ dual with Northwestern. “It’s what our sport teaches us,” Nebraska coach Mark Manning said. “Wrestling is a tough, one-on-one sport that requires a tremendous amount of discipline and commitment. We really love that Harley loves our sport. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s about giving yourself. We wanted to give back to Harley. He loves Nebraska wrestling, and we want him to be a part of it.” Manning first met Kessler through the initial Magic Moments ceremony at the North Star gymnasium on Dec. 10, before Kessler had his surgery. A family neighbor had nominated Kessler and his family for the Miracle Moment.

“Wrestling is his life,” said Stephanie Duley, Kessler’s mother. “You get into wrestling, and you breathe nothing but wrestling.” Kessler said he was excited and honored to serve as an honorary captain. The Nebraska program also saluted him in this tribute video. “It’s had a big impact,” he said. “It’s something I’ve really enjoyed and am thankful for.”

Connecting with Kessler has helped Berger remember that collegiate student athletes have a responsibility outside of a sport that doesn’t revolve around them. After all, Berger doesn’t want his entire Husker experience as a wrestler to be 100 percent about him. He wants to reach out. He wants to help. “It’s good to have Harley, a kid who looks up to guys like us,” Berger said. “It kind of makes us take a step back and see a bigger picture of a bigger family of Husker wrestling and Huskers athletics. To have him come, it’s a good way to humble us. We get to see how much he enjoys us and how much he enjoys wrestling.” Rest of the Story, pictures and details at http://www.huskers.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=211785905&mc_cid=376ecdb5ed&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 11, 2019 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized