WEST JORDAN, Utah — A high school wrestler will be homecoming to the ring after he was accidentally shot in the head by his father. The paralyzing gunshot wound had doctors inquisitive if he’d ever walk or wrestle again.
On Wednesday, Chance Sackett, 17, participated in his first wrestling match which was against Alta High School since the accident.
“He’s a fighter, he really is – he doesn’t quit,” said Jeff Humphreys, Copper Hill High School wrestling coach.
On Monday there was no class at Copper Hills and wrestling practice took place.
“My life is changed forever and so is my son’s life and my family’s. Everybody around the neighborhood, their lives are changed in the blink of an eye,” said Chance’s father Brett Sackett remembering the tragic day.
About two years ago he was cleaning his gun when it fired at his home. The bullet hit his son Chance in the neck.
After spending his entire junior year in a wheel chair, Sackett started walking again with crutches.
“It’s the initial thing for me as a coach to drive and push every kid,” Humphreys said.
Sackett’s teammates have put extra hours into practice to get him ready for their final match.
“That was awesome,” Chance said of the match. “He was really cool. We talked after and he’s a good guy.”
Chance said his opponent thanked him for the match after they wrestled.
“I thought it was awesome,” said teammate Hunter Hatch. “I was all for it – I was excited.”
“I feel proud,” Sackett said. “I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’ll get there.”
