Cardinal players lauded after helping save couple

The Cardinal football team has gained two more fans, thanks to the quick thinking of a handful of Huskies on a recent canoe trip on the Cuyahoga River.

Dario DeCaro, Parker Kosh, Matt Carney and Isaiah Tucker are all being hailed as heroes after helping Pam and Hal Pray of Chagrin Falls to safety following their canoe mishap on the fastflowing river.

“They all stopped their canoes and helped,” said Pam in a letter written to the Cardinal Local School District. “We are so grateful for them because this ‘adventure’ had a good ending. Without them, it could have ended very differently.”

It was a pleasant summer day when the Huskies made their annual trip to Camp Hi in Hiram for their annual 10-mile canoe trip. Coming around a bend in the river, canoe mates DeCaro and Kosh saw the trouble ahead.

“Some guy and his wife were under a tree branch. He was trying to pull her out of the weeds,” said DeCaro. “The tide was pulling him through. Me and Parker went over and helped them get on the rocks.”

Next, Carney and Tucker came around the bend and paddled over to assist.

“We helped the lady to the shore and took their boat back (to the docks) for them,” Carney said.

Kosh said it was gratifying to be able to help someone in need.

“Having the ability to make a quick decision and get them to safety was important,” Kosh said. “It means a lot to me, to all of us. I’m glad we were there. Being put in that situation and knowing I could do the right thing means a lot.”

In her letter to the school, Pam raved of the boys’ instincts to help them.

“How do you thank a group of young men that rescued two 70-year-olds stranded on a Cuyahoga canoe trip?” Pam asked. “I guess by telling everyone how kind and quick-acting they all were, how their parents should be so proud of how they all tried to help, how compassionate they all were and how kind their coach was.

“I would appreciate it if they are recognized for what they did,” she wrote. “We wanted you to know what fine boys you have on this team at your school and, if you have special awards for random acts of kindness, they and their coach certainly deserve it.”

Coach Eric Cardinal beamed with pride over his fast-thinking players. He said this is the 16th trip his team has made to canoe on the Cuyahoga River for a bonding trip before two-aday practices begin at the start of August.

“But this is our first rescue,” Cardinal said.

Cardinal said the fastrushing water and the slippery rocks under the tide made it a difficult operation. His players were in the right place at the right time.

“They did the right thing instinctively,” Cardinal said. “That’s what you want when you’re the coach.

“It was a lucky day for the couple that our team was there. We had 20 canoes going down the river. Someone would have stopped. It just happened to be these guys. They did a great job.”

And in doing so added to the Cardinal Huskies’ fan base this season.

“We will be rooting for the Cardinal football team this season, that is for sure!” Pam said.