A chili cook-off for a cause was held Wednesday night at a local high school.
While the Bald Eagle Area High School wrestling team was taking to the mat, one of their coaches was battling a tough opponent of his own.
He’s a state trooper by day, but by night Michael Cook takes off his badge and gets back to the sport he loves.
“I can’t talk too long because we’d be here all night,” Mike smiled. “My love for wrestling is beyond a lot of things.”
He’s used to helping others, both as a police officer and a coach, but now he needs a little help himself.
Cook is battling testicular cancer and is facing a series of treatments.
“For somebody so young to be going through something like this, we needed to step up and really support him and raise some money for him,” Jessica Lomison, who helped start a fundraiser for Cook, said.
That’s where the chili comes into play.
The community stepped up and organized a cook-off before the match in his honor.
“It’s just amazing at the amount of support and the amount of love that’s in this room for my son,” Sharon Cook told us.
At the end of the night, it showed everyone that some of the biggest victories happen off the mat.
“It’s a family,” Mike said. “Those who don’t understand it should see it now and how the community comes together.”
Mike started his treatment Monday and should be done just in time for states in March.
If you’d like to donate you can send cash or check to:
Bald Eagle Area School District
c/o Mike Cook
751 S. Eagle Valley Road
Wingate, PA 16823