The month of February has come and gone, but not without the recognition of some important milestones. We saw February serve as Black History month, Coaches vs. Cancer games, the annual end of Mardi Gras, the start of the Lenten season, Groundhog Day, President's Day and - lest we forget - Valentine's Day.

We have advanced through the throes of playoff games, matches and events and we have seen great performances, terrific matchups and fantastic finishes. Throughout the month, we have seen the good, with minimal bad and ugly: Athletes and teams doing the unbelievable, the unattainable and the unimaginable. It's great, uplifting theatre.

But games themselves can sometimes overshadow the essence of interscholastic athletics: sportsmanship. And this month, we've encountered a tale of fantastic sportsmanship that we want to recognize. It's the refreshing voice that sports is a very important teaching tool in life lessons, an embodiment of the human spirit that believes good always triumphs over evil.

Let us share the story of two wrestlers who as competitors battled each other over their careers and through mutual respect have become good friends. Joey Kaufman of Halifax and Gus Bostdorf of Camp Hill were looking forward to competing against and pushing each other to the pinnacle of their careers when an unexpected turn of events occurred.

To everyone's shock and dismay, Gus was diagnosed with a tumor, ultimately benign, in one of his lungs. The tumor required chemotherapy, and unfortunately stole the second half of Gus' senior season from him; he had compiled a 21-2 record at the time of diagnosis. But through his friendship with Joey, he stayed connected with wrestling and was in attendance when Joey wrestled for the District III AA Championship in the 220 pound weight class.

Joey won his second District III championship, and Gus was thrilled for his friend. What happened next is beyond description. Joey sought out and found Gus after coming off the championship podium and gave his championship gold medal to his friend Gus for all he had been through with his treatments.

Gus, knowing all the work that went into this accomplishment, at first refused but Joey insisted. Coach Chad Gallaher of Camp Hill indicated this was one of the most amazing displays of sportsmanship that he's ever witnessed in his 22-year coaching career. To read more on this story, please access:

http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/3931460949343156027/hs-wrestling-joey-kaufman-shows-compassion-for-rival-gus-bostdorf-after-district-3-title-run/

That, folks, is why we play; it's why we watch and it's why we care about athletics. We know that similar acts of outstanding sportsmanship take place throughout our great commonwealth in all sports at all levels. This is just one example.

Interscholastic athletics: It's life at its best!