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ANNVILLE, Pa. (Conference News) – The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has announced the 2019 recipient of the MAC Giant Steps Awards. Messiah’s Hunter Zondory will be recognized on Tuesday, May 7 at the 19th Annual MAC Awards Luncheon at Alvernia University.
 
The MAC Giant Steps Award is given to individuals or teams who have overcome adversity while still succeeding in life, who use sports as a vehicle for positive social change, who break down barriers to provide opportunities to those who follow behind them, and those who inspire us to do great things using the positive aspects of sport. The award is modeled after the national award, presented by the Institute for Sport and Social Justice.
 
"The MAC has a legacy of hard-working student-athletes that play for the love of the game. Zondory's story is one that embodies a student-athlete's devotion to the sport and his teammates,” said Marie Stroman, MAC Associate Executive Director. “The MAC SAAC is inspired by Hunter's ability to overcome overwhelming obstacles and want to recognize his spirit as an example to all student-athletes in the conference."
 
In the fall of 2016, Zondory was a first-year member of the Messiah wrestling team when he was injured in a preseason workout. While sparring with a team member, Zondory landed awkwardly on his head and suffered a life-altering injury. His injury left him paralyzed from the chest down and in intensive care at Hershey Medical Center.

“The incident was by far the hardest situation for me to deal with in my coaching career,” said Bryan Brunk, Messiah wrestling head coach. “Our team rallied around Hunter to try and support him in his long road to recovery, but oddly enough, Hunter was more of an encouragement to the team than we all were to him.

“I will never forget a video that Hunter sent us from Hershey (Medical Center). In the video, Hunter could barely move one of his hands and could not speak, but asked his parents to play the song “Brother” by NeedToBreathe as an encouragement to his teammates at Messiah. This gesture exemplifies Hunter’s spirit and bond with our team.”

Over the next several months, Zondory moved to a physical rehabilitation hospital and learned to walk again. He spent last school year focused on rehabilitation and easing back into academics.

This past fall, Zondory returned to Messiah as a full-time college student. Furthermore, he rejoined the team as a student manager.
 
“While Hunter is unable to participate physically in the sport of wrestling, he is an integral and faithful part of our team,” said Brunk. “He shows up to practice every day. From the sideline he sets an example of positive attitude and joy. Hunter also travels with the team to competition and helps in any way he can. He will always have a place on our team.”