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Wm ttiRpsTHB photo / Don KnightElwood’s Patrick Cruz wrestles Blackford's Zach Barr in 125-pound championship match of the Central Indiana Conference Tournament on Saturday. Cruz went on to win his fourth CIC title, a feat reached by only two other wrestlers previously.HeartsContinued from Page B1home and in the wrestling room.With open arms, El wood coach Rex Leavitt and his wife, Millie, immediately came to the family’s aid, helping it through the funeral arrangements and through the rough days to follow. For the past three years, both brothers have worked through the summers for their coach’s swimming pool business.And as he has with every wrestler who walks through his doors, Leavitt has made himself available for both brothers, and shares theirgrief.“They’re living together with their two older sisters now, you know, it’s, ... said Leavitt before being overcomeby the memory.“They work for me, and we’re so close to both of them. Millie is like a second mother to them.“Their mother’s death came from left field, and for 18-year-old kids, geez....Initially, Jaramillo, 44, suffered a broken elbow and was going in for routine surgery the Monday before she died onJuly 30.“Later (at work), I said, ‘How’d your mom’s surgery go?’ They said, *She couldn’t do it because she got a cold over the weekend.’ She went to the hospital,” Leavitt recalled. “Something wasn’t right.-Stricken with pneumonia, Jaramillo, diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, years before, was transported to Community Hospital in Anderson and admitted into the intensive care unit.Earlier that same day (less than 24 hours before the twins’ birthday), the two worked a full shift before enjoying a cake Leavitt’s wife made for them as a surprise.“Patrick called me later that night and said, ‘Mom isn’t doing too good,’ and they can’tcome to work,” Leavitt recalled. “They had given her 20 percent chance to live. This was all within 24 hours. Three days later, she died.“It was like a pneumonia she had at first, and it just spread throughout the body,” Patrick Cruz explained further. “It’s hard, but we get through it. I wrestle every match for her.”No longer in contact with their father, the twins moved in with their oldest sister in the late summer while battling through the unimaginable the past few months. Currently, four of the five siblings live under one roof in Elwood. The oldest sibling is 23 years old.Dedicating their final prep wrestling season to their mother and her dream of seeing both brothers make it to theIHSAA state finals, both haveused the diversion to ward off the pain, though it still remains.“That’s what my mom wanted, Patrick Cruz said with heavy emotion. “It would be an honor. That’s what we’re shooting for.”Stride for stride, the twodrilling partners have continued down their intended path this season with past experi ence and success on their side.“He’s a fighter,” Victorspoke of his brother. “We practice against each other, and that’s tough. One of us is usually pinning each other. That’s how it goes,The end of the 2007-08 regular season went just as planned.Last Saturday at Elwood High School, Victor (29-3) captured his second Central Indiana Conference weight class title at 130 pounds to go with a second Madison County crown last December.Patrick (29-3) clinched his fourth straight CIC title at 125 pounds, only the third time a wrestler has accomplished thefeat in nearly 40 years. Ranked 14th in the state in his weight class, Cruz scored an upset win late last year to win a third county championship and the tournament’s highest honor of Wrestler of the Meet.Two years ago, Patrick, who owns 118 career wins, was a semistate qualifier and, though hobbled by a shoulder injury in January 2007, has advanced to regional every season to date. Victor was a semistate qualifier last season and an alternate as a sophomore.“It’s been pretty difficult,” Victor Cruz said. “I don’t know. We just live life how itis.”And their coaches, teammates and friends are pulling for them.“They’ve definitely handled it really well,” Jones said on his teammate’s resolve. “It’s been hard for them, obviously. It w ould be nice to see them get down (to state).”
Newspaper Details
Anderson Herald Bulletin
Anderson, Indiana, US
Wed, Jan 23, 2008
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
Anderson P.
Indiana, USA 12 Jun 2023
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