The New England Patriots. The Los Angeles Lakers. The UCLA Bruins. Three teams that, though from different competitive realms, share one common thread: Each one is responsible for one of the longest winning streaks in the history of their respective sport.
It is often said that a true winner also knows how to lose with grace and class; there was no better showing of that than the gesture that was displayed by a high school wrestler in Norton, Massachusetts.
Norton High School wrestler Deven Schuko entered his most recent match at a perfect 27-0; that evening, he was to go against Dighton-Rehoboth High School’s Andy Howland. Howland, a 21-year old student with Down syndrome, regularly showed up to matches with enthusiasm and excitement. He had won matches in the past, and on this particular night, he voiced to his coaches, as always, that he really wanted to go out there and get a win.
Schuko, a team co-captain, graciously handed over his 27-match winning streak for the sake of boosting Howland. He spoke to his coach, who was more than in favor of the moment.
Afterwards, Schuko was quoted as saying that Howland was “tough” and that he “wanted to make (Howland’s) day” by giving him a fun competition. The match was recorded and posted on Facebook, and has since gone viral.
A parent in attendance commented on his Facebook page that Schuko is “what a team captain and leader looks like” and that he was “proud to witness” the gesture of a “truly special young man.”
In the end, it’s not always about how you win…but how you handle losing as well.
In the Game/Web Content
Deven Schuko
Norton High School
Norton, Massachusetts
A Beautiful End
By: James Washington
Photo courtesy of WBZ TV Boston
