Community helps replace South Elgin High wrestlers' stolen gear

Theft of the South Elgin High School Storm varsity wrestling team's gear at a downstate meet has prompted an outpouring of support from the community.

In three days, friends, family and community members have surpassed the $5,500 goal to replace the stolen gear through a gofundme.com fundraiser. A total of $5,640 was raised by 107 people as of Tuesday afternoon.

The team's van was broken into Friday while members stopped at a restaurant for a late lunch before traveling back from the two-day Granite City Holiday Tournament near St. Louis, according to wrestling parent Alex Lopez, who started the gofundme page.

Stolen items included singlets or wrestling uniforms, new warmup suits, head gear, shoes, bags, and personal items such as headphones, wallets and cellphones.

South Elgin wrestling coach Mark Cameron said a printing company has offered to print and replace the singlets, according to media reports.

The team needs singlets, headgear and shoes for its next wrestling match Friday, he added.