Editor's Note: While the following letter was not received as a letter to the editor, it was read in an open meeting of the Gentry School Board, thereby making it public. It is reprinted here because it commends the good sportsmanship of the Gentry Wrestling Team.
Hello, my name is Wendy Odle, I am a parent of a Russellville High School wrestler and officer of the Cyclone Wrestling Booster Club.
During a recent meet at Greenwood, while we were wrestling Gentry, one of our wrestlers, a female, was injured, breaking her leg.
I wanted to make you aware of how the Gentry team acted during this time. They were amazing. They all took a knee next to our team and waited for the ambulance.
During this time, our boys gathered on their knees in prayer for our wrestler and, without prompting from anyone, the Gentry team scooted in, connected arms with our team, and bowed their heads in prayer with our boys. These two teams came together and did something you don't see many young people do these days, especially not at sporting events.
It was a wonderful and heartfelt gesture that was truly appreciated.
Also, the young man who was wrestling our team member when the accident occurred made sure he went over and spoke to her for a moment, giving her a hug before the paramedics took her out.
Such great sportsmanship! I just wanted someone there to know what a great group of young men you have in wrestling. You should be proud of them. It was a pleasure to wrestle with them. We wish them good luck in their season.
Sincerely,
Wendy Odle
Russellville
Editorial on 12/24/2014