The Warsaw wrestling program led a fundraising campaign for injured Homestead wrestler Nik Gogos. Shown above (from left) are Warsaw wrestling coach Justin Smith, wrestler Anthony Hendrickson, Jerry Nolin of Dairy Queen, Wayne Hogenson of We Care Chiropractic, wrestler Rory Nolin and WCHS Athletic Director Dave Anson (Photo provided)

WARSAW – The Warsaw Community High School Wrestling team, the WCHS Athletic Department, and all of Tiger Athletics would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the support provided during the wrestling program’s Nickels for Nik campaign this past week.

On November 23, while participating in a wrestling meet at the Warsaw Invitational, Homestead freshman wrestler Nik Gogos’ life was changed in an instant.  With Nik attempting to pull away from a hold while on his feet, Nik was taken to the mat where he landed directly on his neck, resulting in a broken neck – a fractured vertebrae and two damaged discs.  Nik, without feeling below his neck, was attended to at mat side before being rushed to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

The Tiger Wrestling program, with support from Jerry Nolin and the Winona Lake Dairy Queen and Dr. Wayne Hogenson and We Care Chiropractic, collected slightly over $700 for the injured Homestead wrestler and his family.

Since this event, Nik has continued to show the determination, positive attitude, and strong work ethic that made him a talented student-athlete, and according to his mother his prognosis is encouraging.  Regaining feeling in his limbs, he has slowly taken strides where he is able to walk short distances with assistance.  He has made remarkable progress in 20 days, amazing the nurses and doctors working with him, and Nik and his family hope to spend Christmas at home together.  Through the process, Nik is already looking forward to his future, hoping he can take the path upon which he has been placed and make a difference in the world.

Regardless of hometowns and the name on the front of the uniform, WCHS Athletics respects and appreciates that all athletes and coaches, with their school and communities behind them, prepare with discipline and step foot on the fields, mats, and courts to win and battle with passion and pride, while playing the sports we love.  When events such as the one experienced by Nik and his family occur, scores don’t matter, and there are no perfect words.  We simply hope that the Nik and his family know that the Tiger Wrestling program, Warsaw Athletics, and the WCHS school community is clad blue and gold with GOGOS across our back in spirit, and we hope that this contribution can help Nik and his family on this current path.

On behalf of Tiger Wrestling and Warsaw Community High School Athletics, we would like to say thank you to the fans attending the Homestead and Warsaw basketball game at Warsaw, the WCHS Students providing contributions at lunch periods, and the corporate donations in our wrestling team’s effort of support.  The Warsaw Community, along with the Warsaw wrestling family, will always be here to help lift Nik in prayer and support, and we look forward to celebrating his achievements.

Sincerely,

Dave Anson, CAA

WCHS Athletic Director