A junior wrestler from Toms River North was revived by an athletic trainer and assistant coach after collapsing during a match at Lakewood High School on Wednesday night.
A Lakewood High School athletic trainer and an assistant coach at Toms River North defibrillated and revived a Donovan Catholic wrestler on the mat Wednesday night after he lost consciousness while pinning an opponent.
Donovan Catholic athletic director Joe Gomulka said Monday morning Brandon Gonzalez, a junior, 220-pounder “flatlined” while wrestling an opponent from Toms River North during at tri-match at Lakewood High School.
Halpin and Huber were not available for comment.
Gomulka said Gonzalez “was going to be fine.”
“He called our coach and asked if we won the match,” Gomulka said. “The team hopes to go visit him today (Thursday).
Gomulka said Gonzalez was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after being revived.
Lifesaving CPR given by @CoachJHuber at 2night's @TrnWrestling/DC match. PROUD OF YOU!! @TomsRiverPatch @Bob_Badders @smfalk @Josephzedalis
— Dan O'Cone (@DanOCone) January 5, 2017
According to Gomulka, Lakewood High School athletic trainer Patricia Halpin shocked Gonzalez and Toms River North assistant wrestling coach Josh Huber, a summertime life guard at Jekninson’s in Point Pleasant Beach, gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after Gonzalez went lifeless during his bout.
“He was pinned the kid and when the official motioned him to get off there was no response,” said Gomulka, who was not at the match and received the account from his coaching staff. “They rolled him (Gonzalez) over, he convulsed a little and then flatlined.
“The Lakewood trainer (Halpin), the coach (Huber) and two EMTs in the audience worked on Brandon and were able to revive him.”
The names of the two emergency medical technicians were unavailable.
The Donovan Catholic coach is Steve Glawson, an oral surgeon in Toms River, Gomulka said.
Gomulka said the match was suspended at that point.
“Obviously seeing a kid shocked on the mat was traumatic for everyone so wrestling was stopped at that point,” Gomulka said.
Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.