CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Immanuel Gilmore is a 17-year-old senior at Montgomery Central High School, who also happens to be a two-time state tournament qualifier for the boys’ wrestling team at MCHS. As he was wrestling this past Saturday in the TSSAA Section 4 Class A sectionals, for the right to return and qualify for state, he sustained a broken neck which led to an emergency surgery at Vanderbilt.
When he arrived at the hospital, Gilmore only had feeling but no muscle control in his hands. He also has no feeling from his torso down. According to updates from his family, the doctors do not expect Gilmore to walk again. Despite that, Gilmore’s spirits remain high, and he’s most disappointed that he can’t wrestle this upcoming weekend.
In the days since the accident, the student body at Montgomery Central has come together to support Gilmore, according to MCHS boys’ wrestling coach Derek Levendusky. This includes students coming together for a prayer circle earlier this week, as well as wearing school colors in support of Gilmore.
“The Gilmores are feeling overwhelmed with love from the wrestling community, church community, school community, and Clarksville community. The visits, support, and prayers have been constant. They would tell you that God’s love is shining brightly right now.
“Immanuel’s faith is strong and one of the things that makes him saddest is that he can’t compete at the State Championships this weekend. His heart is with his team and his team with him. We are hanging a banner that says “Central Strong. Wrestling for Immanuel” and TSSAA approved us wearing stickers on our headgear that say ‘IG190.’ That stands for his initials and weight class.”
A GoFundMe has also been set up on behalf of the Gilmore family, which has already raised over $48,000. If you are interested in donating, you can do so through the following link.
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Christian Brown contributed to this article.