Wawasee’s trip to Bellmont Friday evening wasn’t just a matchup between a pair of state-ranked wrestling programs. It was a call to action.

For almost three decades, Bellmont thrived under the guidance of legendary wrestling coach Paul Gunsett, one of the truly great coaches in Indiana prep wrestling. This season’s lidlifter for the Braves was the first since 1993 where Gunsett wasn’t at the helm, sidelined by cancer.

But rather than just offer condolences via tweet or text message, Wawasee’s wrestling program took time out to support and honor Gunsett, which is in the throes of his battle with brain cancer. Shirts honoring the longtime Bellmont boss were worn by the coaching staff at Friday night’s dual, and rather than draw attention to their legendary coach, Bellmont chose to carry on business as usual despite his glaring void in the mat corner.

Himself a state champion at his alma mater in 1988, the four-time IHSAA state finalist later became a Purdue wrestling standout before coming back home to Decatur to serve the program he grew up in. In 1993, Gunsett took over and kept the Braves in form, guiding dozens of athletes to the IHSAA State Finals and helping Bellmont to 27 sectional titles in 29 seasons. The Braves are currently second in IHSAA history with 45 sectional team titles, only short of Evansville Mater Dei’s 52. Bellmont was a two-time IHSAA Team State finalist under Gunsett (1999, 2006), three-time IHSWCA Team State champion (2016, 2020, 2022) and he himself was named the 2020 Indiana Mat Class 2-A Coach of the Year as well as tabbed an Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Famer in 2008.

But all of the accolades and statistics don’t mean anything to cancer, and Gunsett is now fighting the ultimate battle, but not alone. On top of the support Wawasee gave the longtime coach in presence Friday evening, the program quietly gave a donation to the Gunsett family.

“They said he had been at every single practice since 1993. That’s insane,” noted Wawasee head coach Frank Bumgardner of Gunsett. “Obviously, he had a massive part in building this culture here. You see it. Excitement. Passion. What more could you ask for in a legacy? We talked to our guys about his situation. Take a minute, soak it up, it’s about life. Celebrate Paul. We don’t know how much longer he’s got. We hope, God willing, it’s forever. But cherish life, then go out and compete. Don’t take this for granted. This is exactly what competition and wrestling is about, and Paul helped build this environment here.”

For those whom wish to contribute, there is a fundraiser established to help the Gunsett family with medical expenses.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Paul and his family as they continue to fight.