ANGOLA, Ind.-- The Trine wrestling team partnered with campus and community organizations to raise over a thousand dollars in support of an organization benefitting wounded U.S. veterans.
Ten key sponsors collected $1,107 to support Achilles International Freedom Team of Wounded U.S. Veterans, an organization which provides wounded veterans an opportunity to compete in events such as marathons and cycling events. Organizations and individuals sponsored weight classes in Trine's dual wrestling match against Olivet in Thursday to spearhead donation-collecting efforts for the organization. The following organizations and individuals served as sponsors for the 10 weight classes:
- Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity
- Kappa Sigma fraternity
- Phi Kappa Theta fraternity
- Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity
- Theta Phi Alpha sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity
- Olivet College Wrestling
- Parkview Sports Medicine
- Adam and Meghan Wilson, in honor of Joshua Throckmorton
- Brooks and Gretchen Miller, in honor of their grandparents Wayne Farnsel, Roger T. May, Howard Messenger and George Robke.
- Trine University Wrestling
The funds from each organization's sponsorship will be donated directly to Achilles to support the Freedom Team. The money will be used to help provide training opportunities, fund entry fees for competitions, purchase equipment for veterans and cover travel costs for individuals and their families.
Tom Davis, Fremont resident and former member of the Freedom Team served as Trine's honorary captain for the match, delivered an inspirational pregame speech to the team and addressed the crowd during intermission.
Davis competes in marathon-distance handcycling races. He has won the Disabilities Division of the Detroit Marathon four straight years. Davis lost most of his left leg while serving as a staff sergeant in Iraq in 2006.
Davis shared his experiences with the Freedom Team and talked about his introduction to marathon-distance handcycling. He also spent time discussing Achilles International programs.
Trine wrestling intends to make Military Appreciation Night an annual event. The team hopes to travel to Chicago to volunteer with the Freedom Team during the Chicago Marathon.