For Positively Osceola
Gunner Holland, a two-time state wrestling champion and a rising senior at Osceola High School, was severely injured in a freak burning accident late last week while attending a wrestling camp at Lake Highland Prep. Holland was was participating in the camp in preparation for a national tournament in Fargo, ND.
The incident occurred when Holland accidentally sat in some liquid that had spilled on a bench. The liquid turned out to be an undiluted cleaning solution that had apparently leaked out of a container. Holland immediately experienced a burning sensation, but he continued to compete in the camp for approximately three hours before the pain became too intense to bear.
Holland ended up being rushed to the emergency room and later admitted to the burn unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center with second degree akaline burns to his bottom and back of his legs.
“Gunner’s a tough kid and when he first noticed the burning sensation, he said he had no idea what was causing it,” his mother Samantha Gunner said. “He just kept going for several hours until the pain became too intense. I visited him on Monday and doctors are hoping he’ll be able to come home tonight or tomorrow. He’s just heartbroken that he is going to miss the opportunity to wrestle at Nationals. Because he played football the past three years, this would have been his first opportunity to go.”
Holland won Class 3A FHSAA State Championships as both a freshman and sophomore. Last year, wrestling through a host of injuries, he rallied to a third place finish.
Brandi Deal, a family friend of the Holland family, has started a Go fund Me Page to help Gunner and his family deal with medical bills and anticipated family expenses dealing with this unfortunate event.
Fans can donate through this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gunner-holland-medical-recovery?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_location=undefined&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=undefined
