Rode in on a Broom Handle

by Aaron Hewett

On February 13, 1999, the West Brunswick Wrestling team was on its way home from a long road trip to Williamston, N.C. We had just finished second in the East Regionals, and after about 4 * hours on the highway, we were just outside Wilmington on Hwy. 17. Suddenly, the bus began to lose power.

After some inspection by Coach Noble and Coach Taylor, it was determined that the accelerator was broken. NowÞit's 2 o'clock in the morning, and there is NO traffic and NO way to call for assistance. SoÞ..

Coach Taylor, alias "McGyver", found a broom in the back of the bus and removed the handle from it. He lifted the motor cover, which is inside the bus, and put the broom handle on the linkage. At this point he was able to push the throttle.

His wife, a licensed bus driver, took over at the wheel while Coach Taylor kept a "handle" on the throttle. Other than a tricky traverse of the highway off-ramp and maneuvering the bus to park it when we reached the school, together they managed to get the team home safe and sound

Maybe it is possible to ride in on a broom handle!!!

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