Hunter receives wrestling scholarship to William Penn
Above, senior CHS wrestler, Gabe Hunter, signs on with William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Shown, left to right, are, front row: David Freeman, Aileen Freeman, Gabe Hunter, JD Hunter, and Ashley Hunter; back row: Ben Glidewell, Aron Scott, and Nathan Fortner.
Photo by Elizabeth Ray.
Photo by Elizabeth Ray.
April 21, 2021
Elizabeth Ray
One day in the late fall of 2014, Gabe’s father, JD Hunter, asked a simple question that would change the young boy's life. “Do you want to try wrestling?”
His son’s reply was a simple, “sure.” Gabe went on to compete in Youth State three years in a row-throughout 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Then he again competed in the State Competition, this time at the high school level - as a Junior.
Then, his senior year he received a message that gave him the chance to live his dream. Hunter wanted to wrestle in college. Coach Aron Scott from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, contacted Gabe and offered him a scholarship if he would join their wrestling team.
“I was shocked, to say the least,” Gabe said as he reflected on the day he got the message. “It was all thanks to Coach Nathan Fortner who sat down and helped me fill out the application process.”
Hunter wants to thank Coaches Troy Thompson, Ben Glidewell, Nathan Fortner, and Chris Fortner, as well as his parents, JD Hunter and Allien Freeman, and his teammates. He also wants to remind his teammates to “Always do their best because you get what you earn and it is over faster than you know it.” When asked what the biggest piece of advice he would give his teammates was, Hunter replied, “Listen to your coaches! Seriously, always listen to your coaches.”
Finally, Hunter wants to thank the Cassville community.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me. I couldn’t have done this without your support and help,” he said.
Elizabeth Ray
One day in the late fall of 2014, Gabe’s father, JD Hunter, asked a simple question that would change the young boy's life. “Do you want to try wrestling?”
His son’s reply was a simple, “sure.” Gabe went on to compete in Youth State three years in a row-throughout 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Then he again competed in the State Competition, this time at the high school level - as a Junior.
Then, his senior year he received a message that gave him the chance to live his dream. Hunter wanted to wrestle in college. Coach Aron Scott from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, contacted Gabe and offered him a scholarship if he would join their wrestling team.
“I was shocked, to say the least,” Gabe said as he reflected on the day he got the message. “It was all thanks to Coach Nathan Fortner who sat down and helped me fill out the application process.”
Hunter wants to thank Coaches Troy Thompson, Ben Glidewell, Nathan Fortner, and Chris Fortner, as well as his parents, JD Hunter and Allien Freeman, and his teammates. He also wants to remind his teammates to “Always do their best because you get what you earn and it is over faster than you know it.” When asked what the biggest piece of advice he would give his teammates was, Hunter replied, “Listen to your coaches! Seriously, always listen to your coaches.”
Finally, Hunter wants to thank the Cassville community.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me. I couldn’t have done this without your support and help,” he said.
