Community raises money for youth wrestling team's trip to state

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A storybook ending for a youth wrestling team on Milwaukee's northwest side. 12 players qualified to go to state, but not everyone could afford the trip. After we first aired their story, the community rallied behind them.

"We going up here to bring back some hardware, okay?" Coach Obryan Mungon said to his group on Thursday, March 21.

A coach pep talks as dozens of his best wrestlers prepare to make memories in Madison.

"Champions on three, 1, 2, 3, champions!" shouted the team.

But this almost didn't happen for the C4C Milwaukee Youth Wrestlers who practice at the Ma'Ruf Center.

"It was kind of sad because, like, everybody should go to state," said Ry'Lee Underwood, Wrestler, Age 10.

Coach Obryan Mungon says some came to him in confidence, unable to afford the trip.

"Most of them are first year wrestlers and a lot of them don't know about the expenses with the advancement of wrestling," said Coach Mungon.

So, Coach O-B, as they call him, got the word out on GoFundMe fundraiser by Obryan Mungon.

"I don't want to cry, but it just feels good when they could come together to help on such a good, for such a good cause," said Angelita Ingram, mom of youth wrestler.

Angelita Ingram's son is new to the team this year.

"It just does my heart so good to see him finding a new passion that he truly enjoys," said Ingram.

These are photos from last year's competition which draws thousands to it. Rhyan Mungon's the team's youngest qualifier.

"My favorite thing to do is do a head throw," said Mungon.

"I told them 'hey, nobody's getting left behind,'" said Coach Mungon.

"I'm just so excited so now everybody could go, and no people can be crying, no people can be sad that they didn't get to go to state this year," said Underwood.

The money raised above their $2,000 ask will be used for upgrades to equipment and uniforms. They've raised more than $6,500.