PALMETTO, Fla. - Palmetto High’s wrestling program is a relatively new one in the Bay area.

They might be some of the newer kids on the block, but they’ve got lofty goals.

“I want to be a state champion contending team year in and year out within five years,” head coach Matt Mitchell said.

Only 16 years old, the Tigers wrestling program sets a tone with its work ethic.

“Hard work, effort, we want to outwork all of our opponents,” Mitchell said.

They might not have produced a state champion just yet, but the Palmetto Tigers have already made history. Junior Gabbi Tutera became the first girl to wrestle for Palmetto. An injury has sidelined for the remainder of the season, but that doesn’t diminish the accomplishment

“To now have that spotlight as oh, Gabbi the female wrestler or she’s the female wrestler who will kick your butt at Palmetto, you don’t want to wrestle her,” Gabbi said. “It’s gratifying. It makes me confident in myself and it me proud of who I am.”

Making history is a remarkable achievement, but it’s not even the standout one in the Tutera family. That honor belongs to Gabbi’s younger brother Ian.

“Through everything my son’s gone through, which is pretty much a miracle that he’s even here,” Gino Tutera said.

Miracle because Ian wasn’t supposed to make it. Born with a tumor on his spine, he’s endured a variety of medical procedures. His nighttime routine involves inserting an IV into his stomach for fluids to fill him up so he can go to the bathroom.

“Over the years, my parents, my dad and my mom, they both really showed me that I shouldn’t really have to fear,” Ian said. “I should probably embrace it more.”

Growing up, Ian didn’t always feel like he fit in. Medical issues made that difficult. But then he found wrestling.

“You really have to love the sport to do it,” Ian said. “You can’t just walk right in here and think you’re going to win every match because that’s just not going to happen. I mean, you’re going to win some and lose some.”

It takes special athlete to be a wrestler. Not everyone can do it. You kind of have to be a little off.
“You’ve just got to be a little bit different,” Mitchell said. “Wrestlers in general are, I wouldn’t say weird. We’re just a little bit different.”

Ian’s medical difficulties make him different. But wrestling makes him whole. And it’s made him an inspiration.

“Ian’s story is basically if I can get out that I have a disability and I’m able to compete and change one person’s life then it’s a mission accomplished,” Gino said.