Takedown Report

Young boy battling stage 4 cancer achieves varsity dream

WAUTOMA, Wis. (WSAW) – Tuesday night, Arlene Bialk was cheering on her son as he wrestled just like she has for countless matches before. This time, however, was different.

Miguel Duran is declared the winner of his match against Christian Weiss at Wautoma High School. (WSAW Photo 1/7/20)

“It’s going to be one of those memories that I’m never going to be able to forget,” said Bialk. “It means everything to me.” Her 9-year-old son, Miguel Duran, has been wrestling in the Wautoma youth program for four years. On Tuesday night, before the Wautoma/Wild Rose Warriors varsity wrestling team took to the mat to take on Rosholt, they had something special in store for their young teammate. “It started as an idea of our high school wrestlers,” said Dean Weiss, Miguel’s youth wrestling coach and family friend. “They brought it forward to their coach, and the coach presented it to the family and myself and it just steam rolled from there.” Miguel has been diagnosed with stage 4 Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that forms in soft tissue. The cancer is aggressive, leaving the young man with not a lot of time. “This last year was a testament to how much he wanted to fight and to beat it,” said Weiss. “To come up short is kind of bitter sweet, but we’re trying to make the best of what the plans are for him.”
“He’s a warrior; he’s a fighter,” added Bialk. “He’s got the heart of a champion.” That fighter mentality was shown when Miguel took to the varsity mat, wrestling his best friend and Wautoma/Wild Rose varsity wrestler Christian Weiss, pinning him in a decisive victory early in the second period. Not only did he have the opportunity to fulfill his dream of wrestling in a varsity match, he earned a varsity letter and letterman jacket. Best wishes for health for Miguel. Check out the rest of this story at Wsaw.com/content/news/Young-boy-battling-stage-4-cancer-achieves-varsity-dream

January 9, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized