Gymnasts Rally Around Coach Fighting Brain Cancer

From wcco.com

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) ―Paul Wright, with his son Blake and wife Leslee, is the head coach of the Bloomington Jefferson High School gymnastics team. He is currently battling brain cancer.

The Bloomington Jefferson High School gymnastics team is learning a tough lesson. Their coach Paul Wright is fighting brain cancer. His motor skills did not allow him to talk about his story but there are many that talk on his behalf.

Wright graduated from Bloomington Jefferson in 1983. He returned as a teacher and coach, taking his gymnastics team to last year’s state tournament.

He’s not around this school year because of his battle against brain cancer.

“It’s real tough to see him going through what he’s going through so rapidly. I mean last year he was coaching and doing everything and now this year it looks pretty grim,” said coach Ron McClure.

So the team gathers to prepare for a season but the conversation easily drifts to their coach and his family.

“He’s always just been a really good role model to me and a positive leader. And he’s always just bringing the team up and he’s always giving great advice and just being a really cool person,” said Jefferson gymnast Jenna Mueller.

“His family is really nice. His wife coaches with us, Leslee, and Blake comes in on Saturday mornings sometimes and practices with the girls so it’s a lot of fun,” said Jefferson gymnast Natalia Merrifield.

This Sunday they held a fundraiser to help comfort that family and to say thank you for what he’s done.

“Just that I’m praying for him and that hope he gets through this hard time. And I know God is watching over him and he will help him,” said Merrifield.

“He’s in my prayers, his whole family is but it’s just a life struggle, I guess,” said Mueller.

To visit Paul Wright’s CaringBridge page, just click here.