Touching moment that high school wrestler lost state title – and first person he hugged was his opponent’s father who has terminal cancer
- Malik Stewart lost his final state championship match against Mitchell McKee
- McKee’s father, who was in the audience, is suffering from terminal cancer
- When he lost, Stewart approached McKee’s father and congratulated him
- His handshake eventually turned into a tearful embrace
- Coaches from across the state congratulated Stewart in his humble loss
A high school wrestler who lost the state wrestling championship won over the crowd, when instead of getting upset he hugged his opponent’s father, who has terminal cancer.
Blaine High School sophomore Malik Stewart from Minnesota lost the 120-pound title match in the Class 3A wrestling tournament to opponent Mitchell McKee, when McKee pinned him in the final face-off match that was seen on NorthMetroTV.
McKee said: ‘It was a big match for him and to be able to hug my dad like that and not be mad and storm off like a lot of kids do. It was really respectful.’
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Minnesota wrestler Malik Stewart hugs Steve McKee moments after losing his high school wrestling title match to McKee’s son, Mitchell, in St. Paul, Minnesota
McKee, a St. Michael Albertville High School sophomore said that he wanted to win the tournament for his father Steve, who is dying from cancer.
He said: ‘McKee won.
‘He was pretty proud, and his dad was pretty proud, so I went over there an I shook his hand.
‘I embraced him a little bit, and told him to stay strong and that everybody loves him.
Minnesota wrestlers Malik Stewart (facing), and Mitchell McKee embrace after McKee won the match
‘I got a little teary because I lost the match, and I knew the hard times he was going through.’
After he McKee’s father, the crowd at the Xcel Energy Centre in St Paul erupted, applauding and giving Stewart a standing ovation, with many tearing up at the scene.
When it was McKee’s turn to hug his father, the reaction from the crowd was just as heartfelt.
Stewart said: ‘The crowd went wild and I heard a couple people say after I did it – that was pretty classy – but I just did it straight from the heart.
Josh Prokosch, Blaine’s head wrestling coach, said Stewart took it upon himself to congratulate McKee’s dad.
Prokosch said: ‘You see kids, they lose and throw their headgear, they sit and pout, first thoughts through his mind, are to congratulate Mitchell, congratulate the coach and shake the dad’s hand so that was fantastic.
‘For a sophomore in high school he can see a lot of the big picture which is pretty rare nowadays.
Stewart will eventually face McKee again, and said he is focused on his goal of winning two state titles.
He said: ‘When you go out there, you want to win, but if you don’t win, you have got to be a good sport and you be polite.
‘That’s the biggest part.’
Mitchell McKee pins Malik Stewart at 1.22 into the match, securing his victory in the state final
Mitchell McKee (left) receives his award for the match, after Malik Stewart (centre) had captivated the crowd with his show of humility
Other coaches watching the match also took notice of Stewart’s actions.
T.J. Anderson, Assistant Wrestling Coach for Dassel-Cokato Middle School, said in a letter to the Anoka Hennepin School District: ‘The whole crowd gave a standing ovation, not just for the STMA wrestler and his father, but for Stewart, who understands what true sportsmanship is.
‘Thank you for making your athletes into what they are today, Mr. Stewart is a model wrestler that we can all use in our examples of what a true athlete is.’