Community rallies around BEA wrestling coach battling cancer

There are any number of wrestling metaphors that could be applied to the act of surmounting a difficult problem, but very few of them will be of any use here.

For example, were we to begin by saying that Michael Cook, an assistant wrestling coach at Bald Eagle Area High School, plans on putting his testicular cancer diagnosis in a headlock... Well, that would be problematic on any number of levels now wouldn’t it?

Cook does think that his extensive wrestling background helped inform his state of mind post-diagnosis and during his first of three of chemotherapy cycles.

Before graduating from BEA, Cook was named PIAA “AAA” champion, regional champion, two time District 6 champion and Manheim champion

On the mat, it always came down to him and a singular opponent facing off high-noon style, mano a mano. He doesn’t see a reason why this should be any different.

“I’ve had that wrestling mentality my entire life. It’s just me,” Cook said.

Except that it’s not just him. The last few weeks have proven quite the opposite.

During the match held on Jan. 17 against Philipsburg-Osceola, the wrestling team’s booster club sponsored a chili cook-off that raised $4.500 toward Cook’s medical expenses.

Jessica Lomison, a fundraiser and concessions coordinator with the booster club, said that some folks passed on the chili bowl and cut straight to the chase with an envelope full of cash. Philipsburg-Osceola also donated money to the cause.

“The wrestling community throughout central Pa. comes together,” Lomison said.

For Cook, that community begins with Bald Eagle’s head coach Ron Guenot, his fellow assistants and the squad of young wrestlers they’ve been training together.

Guenot was shocked when he heard about Cook’s diagnosis and remains equally as confident that he’ll come out on top of the disease.

“The adversity you experience as a wrestler will definitely help him fight this and beat it,” Guenot said.

Cook still has two more cycles of chemotherapy ahead of him but hopes to be back on full duty over at the Rockview barracks, where he works as a state police officer, by May.

He remains an active presence at wrestling practice and will continue to attend matches.

“That’s where my focus has been. If I’m not at work or chemo, my focus is on getting this team better,” Cook said.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Community rallies around BEA wrestling coach battling cancer."