Norton senior wrestler Deven Schuko is one of the best in the state in his weight class. The team captain has never lost in his varsity career and is a perfect 27-0 in 2015-16. He will enter the state tournaments as a favorite for an individual title later this spring, without question.
Despite his remarkable career varsity record, he’ll also enter those tournaments with at least one loss … at the JV level. That’s thanks to one of the more remarkable acts of generosity you’ll see, with Schuko offering a match to Dighton-Rehoboth Regional wrestler Andy Howland, who competes with Down Syndrome. As reported by Boston CBS affiliate WBZ, in the recent dual meet between the schools, Schuko won his varsity match (like always), then personally offered a match to Howland. It wasn’t scripted or pre-ordained; the teen just decided to ask Howland if he wanted to wrestle.
RELATED: Arizona students rush court after student with special needs makes three-pointer
It was no surprise that he did, and perhaps even less surprise that Howland won. The match up ended quickly, with Howland pinning Schuko on a move the Norton senior described as being bulldogged over to his back.
The special bout has received attention thanks to a parent at the dual meet, with Anthony Pucino filming the event in real time and posting footage of Howland’s pin to Facebook.
RELATED: Indiana middle-schooler gets once-in-a-lifetime moment
As for his motivation, Schuko said the decision to wrestle with Howland was a remarkably simple one.
“I’ve been in sports all my life and wrestling I believe is most demanding,” Schuko told WBZ. “For someone like Andy to wrestle and stick with it, I wanted to make his day. … It’s humbling I guess and pretty cool for all the attention for a simple act of kindness.”