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The family of a deceased former member of the Olean High School wrestling team presented wrestling headgear to the Olean Youth Wrestling Program in advance of the Olean/Allegany Limestone wrestling tournament against Fredonia on Wednesday.
April Doucitt, aunt of the late Kayden Belisle, who wrestled at Olean before graduating in 2021, spoke with Olean Youth Wrestling before Wednesday’s match against Fredonia at the Alleghany-Limestone gym. – Presented wrestling headgear to the team.
“We have been fundraising for the past year and looking at what we can do locally to help the community,” Ms Doucit said. Kayden’s parents, Casey and Roy Belisle, are also involved.
Kayden’s older brother Keegan, who is also a wrestler and is involved as a coach with Olean Youth Wrestling, suggested more headgear is needed for young wrestlers competing in tournaments. They can be sterilized and reused, Doucit said.
Initially, the family planned to provide a scholarship to Linemen School. Kayden graduated from the school two weeks before he was killed by a drunk driver in Portville on September 3, 2022. Two people, Jaden, were injured in the accident. Friends, one of them is critical. Cuba’s Gabby Crannock later died from complications from her injuries.
Dorsitt said the decision was then made to have a greater local impact. The Belisle family has established the Kayden Belisle Memorial Fund, which will fund scholarships at Caden High School for the Class of 2024 in his name, she said.
In addition, a back-to-school shoe drive for children in area schools has also been established, Dusit said. He is also talking about offering free haircuts to young people. “We’re still trying to come up with ideas.”
Last year, Doucit’s daughter Katie, who plays kickball, proposed a fundraiser for people who play kickball and cornhole. “She’s playing kickball and we’re all playing cornhole,” Doucit said. “She (Katie) organizes everything.” She was also selling T-shirts last year.
At last year’s Wrestling Banquet, the Cayden Beryls Brave Heart was awarded for the first time to two Olean wrestlers, Beckham Myers and Caleb Lemon.
The award is given to someone who has “demonstrated heart and determination to exceed and surpass their own and our expectations as wrestlers and in life by working hard and seeking to improve their skills.” There is an inscription engraved on it.
A second cornhole tournament and a second kickball tournament to support the Jayden Belisle Memorial Fund will be held this summer, Doucit said. Please stay tuned for further information.
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