Vinita Wrestler Wins State Title For Little Sister In Tulsa Hospital

Craig Day, News On 6

VINITA, Oklahoma -- A Green Country community is rallying around a family during a difficult time. Their thoughts, prayers and support are for a little girl facing a sudden illness, and for her family.

Bryle Martin's little sister, 12-year-old Cameron Martin, has been in the pediatric ICU at St. Francis for more than a month.

"It went from flu to pneumonia and started attacking her lungs and turned into a secondary infection which was MRSA," Bryle said.

It's very serious and it's very scary.

"This has been really rough on Bryle's folks," Scott Mattison, Bryle's wrestling coach, said. "Shawn and Julie have really been through the ringer."

With their parents at Cameron's side, Bryle and his brothers have relied on friends and self discipline. They still have school. And Bryle still had his hopes of being a state champion wrestler.

"I tried to convince him to not wrestle anymore, that you need to spend time with your family," Mattison said. "Cameron is in dire straits and you need to be up there you don't need to be worrying about wrestling. That was unacceptable to him; that was unacceptable to his folks."

After wrestling with the tough decision, Bryle kept training. At the championship meet, he and his teammates, parents and fans wore shirts dedicated to his little sister.

"I'm positive she's going to overcome it, surely I can overcome six minutes in a wrestling match," Bryles said.

They called themselves Team Cameron. Bryle wanted to win for his biggest fan, who couldn't be there to cheer him on.

"When you want to quit, and you've got her on your mind, you can't. You can't let yourself do that because she's fought so hard," Bryle said.

With those who care about him cheering him on, he won. For her.

"Being a state champ, Bryle is going to remember it for the rest of his life," Mattison said.

Everyone realizes, more importantly, he holds the title of big brother. Although he's proud of his accomplishments on the mat, he's more proud of Cameron, and her fighting spirit.

He's also thankful for the support of his friends, family and the community.

Multiple fundraisers are being held in Vinita to raise money to help cover some of the expenses for the Martin family while Cameron is in the hospital.

Donations can also be made to the Cameron Martin fund at First National Bank in Vinita.