For some wrestlers, participating in a charity match is just like any other match —  they ensure they are well prepared and do their best to come out victorious. The importance and meaning seems to change when the charity being supported has supported a friend and fellow wrestler.

The third annual charity wrestling match was held November 20. The two teams were Crimson versus White, led by Mr. Jason Thomas, assistant varsity and Crimson coach for the charity match, and Mr. Sam Julian, assistant junior high coach and White coach for the match. The teams consisted of players from the elementary, middle and high schools.

The proceeds were donated to KidsPeace, a charity that hosted senior Nathan Cromyak, PAHS wrestler, for 10 years until his adoption in eighth grade.

According to KidsPeace.org, KidsPeace is a private charity that focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of children. They offer community-based treatment and foster care to help people overcome challenges and transform their lives. The charity provides residential treatment programs and accredited educational services through 11 different states.  

“The people at KidsPeace treated me as if I was their own child. It was very comforting, especially under the circumstances,” Cromyak said. “What they are doing for the kids is great, and sometimes I don’t think that they get the recognition that they deserve,”

Cromyak wrestled in the final match Friday night against freshman Tym Nevadomsky.

The PAHS wrestling program has been choosing a variety of charities to raise funds for each year. The first year of the charity match, the funds were donated to United Way, a charity dedicated to resolving pressing community issues. The second year, the proceeds went to Beat the Streets Philadelphia, a charity focused on establishing youth wrestling programs around Philadelphia.

“It was a great feeling. In any other match I’m wrestling first for my team then for myself, but in a charity match I’m wrestling for a good cause. A good cause which I was a part of [for] the majority of my life,” Cromyak said.

Twenty-two wrestlers had fought that evening, split up between teams that made up the school colors. The wrestlers were selected based on their offseason commitment.

“The kids really see it as an honor and a reward for the offseason commitment.” Coach Thomas said.

In the high school matches, senior Cyle Hinson defeated sophomore Mike Saint Juste; junior Richie Bentz defeated freshman Braden Goodman; junior Ryan Green defeated junior Romeo Eaddy; senior Luke Gardner defeated junior Jacquon Smith; senior Kolby Kleckner defeated sophomore Cole Painter; and Cromyak defeated freshman Tym Nevadomsky.

The final result of the night was White defeating Crimson, 20-18. Overall, the match had raised around $400 in funds for the charity.

“KidsPeace made me the person that I am today. If they didn’t take me in, I’m not sure where I would be right now because I wasn’t in the most suitable living conditions,” Cromyak said. “KidsPeace essentially gave me a second chance in life, an opportunity to better myself. From that point forward I took advantage of every opportunity that I was given and became grateful for everything that I had.”