‘A huge burden off our shoulders’
Mission/Charlo wrestling coach Lyle Cronk helped run the Fight for Isaiah wrestling tourney in Mission last weekend. The event raised $15,000 toward Isaiah Allik's cancer treatment bills from entry fees, t-shirt and bracelet sales, food, and even donations from out-of-area teams who couldn't attend. (Courtesy of Michelle Sharbono)
2020 state wrestling champ Isaith Allik poses with William Sharbono and Isaiah's brother, Levi Dwelle. More than 350 youth, from near and far, participated in the wrestling tourney held last weekend to "Fight for Isaiah" as he battles a rare cancer in his leg. (Courtesy of Michelle Sharbono)
People were supporting a good cause and having a great time dancing to the hard-hitting sounds of Showdown at the Isaiah Allik fundraising picnic at Leon Hall on Sunday. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
Isaiah Allik, already a local celebrity for his undefeated wrestling season and state championship last year, signed shirts (here, for William Sharbono) at the benefit wrestling meet held last weekend to help cover his cancer treatment expenses. (Courtesy of Daisy Adams)
CHARLO — When Isaiah Alllik was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his leg, the Charlo/Mission/Ronan community came together to support one of their own in a big way, and have a lot of fun along the way.
More than 350 youth and high school wrestlers competed Friday and Saturday in the Fight for Isaiah wrestling tournament held at St. Ignatius High School. As word spread, not only locals and schools in Mission’s division signed up, but others from schools big and small across Montana, as well as northern Idaho and the Spokane area.
“The wrestling community is pretty tight-knit,” Mission-Charlo coach Lyle Cronk said. “There were a lot of people who came just to support Isaiah.
“This was a great event because we were able to see people from not only out of the area, but Class AA, A and B/C all came together. In a regular wrestling season, we usually see only a small number of schools. It was great for everybody to get together to support a cause. Also, because we haven’t got to do a lot of wrestling this year because of COVID, everybody was pretty excited and happy.”
With sales of #IsaiahStrong T-shirts and other items, as well as donations, the event raised about $15,000 for Isaiah’s cancer treatment expenses. Montana Officials Association refs even donated officiating services for the event.
Wrestling Friday and Saturday was followed Sunday by a separately organized barbeque, beer, silent auction and dance party in a giant party tent outside Leon Hall. More than 500 dinner tickets were sold, and several kegs of beer consumed. One of Montana’s top bands, Showdown, performed for free and kept the crowd busy dancing so they couldn’t get cold. A large group of volunteers and donors, as well as an enthusiastic and generous crowd, raised nearly $32,000 for the #IsaiahStrong cause.
Isaiah’s mom, Lindsey Dwelle, expressed deep gratitude for all the help. Though Isaiah is insured, there have been a lot of surprises in the billing, and unexpected expenses and time as treatments and travel add up.
“This is really a huge burden off our shoulders,” Dwelle said.
