Schools

Howell Wrestling Team Goes Pink For One Of Their Own

Pink socks just part of what has makes this a special squad for the Rebels

At Howell wrestling matches this season, whether the Rebels have won or lost, one thing has been almost as much of a sure thing as a referee blowing his whistle. Wherever the team is wrestling, it is likely Kay Webb is sitting right in the front row watching her grandson wrestle.

And while this is Webb's first season cheering on freshman Matt Lindemann and the rest of his Howell teammates, she is no stranger to the sport. "I've been watching Matt wrestle since he was in the second grade going to almost all of his matches and all of his tournaments and all the state tournaments," she said. 

Last month, prior to a quad match with Ocean, Manchester and Southern, the Rebels took a moment to honor one of their newest and most loyal fans after overcoming a challenging opponent of her own. Webb, a cancer survivor was presented with a pink shirt and ever since then all the wrestlers on the squad have donned pink socks to go with their blue singlets. "They gave a little speech before the tournament saying that I was their hero because I fought everyday against cancer just like they fight against their opponents."

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Webb called that Saturday, "the best day of my life," and added, "The fact that a team of teenage boys would wear pink socks in my honor just blows my mind." Even living all the way up in Metuchen, Webb said she still has not missed a match for the Rebels and said Lindemann and the rest of her seven grandchildren helped her get through all her cancer treatments.

And when it came to Lindemann, Webb said he was one of the keys in helping her get through the chemo which has helped her doctors to believe helped her beat the cancer. "I had goals for what I wanted to see and Matt was one of my inspirations," she said. "I said I want to live to seem him wrestle through high school."

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Right from the start Lindemann helped his grandmother when he took the mats. In his first dual meet of the regular season the freshman kicked off his team's match against Middletown South with a first period pin over Ryan Cotterell at 125. "He got a pin and I said it couldn't have worked out any better for me," said his glowing grandmother. "Whether he wins or loses he's still number one in my book."

For his part, Lindemann said he always enjoys having his grandmother at the matches and was touched when the team took the time to recognize her. "It definitely got me inside,just feeling like everybody's there [for me.]"

Coach John Gagliano said the support the team has shown to Lindemann and his family is just part of what has makes this a very special program. "Were all in support of each other and we always say we're one big family," he said. "Originally we were going to do it the one match and the kids said we're doing it for the season, that this is for her."

The coach said he has been proud to see everyone come together they way they have even with Lindemann being just a few months into his Rebel career. "They're all great kids, everybody's very close."


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