Iowa wrestlers in viral ESPN tweet reunite on the mat

ANAMOSA, Iowa — A display of true sportsmanship on the wrestling mat in the corridor is warming hearts across the country.

A viral Facebook video showing a West Branch Middle School wrestler with cerebral palsy winning a match against an Anamosa wrestler has been viewed nearly 4.5 million times on Twitter.

The match happened on Monday, but ESPN shared the tweet on Friday.

It's been nearly a week since West Branch Middle School wrestler, Lucas Lacina and Anamosa wrestler, Austin Scranton met on the mat. Sunday, they reunited as friends.

It was 14-year old Lucas Lacina's goal to be part of the West Branch Middle School wrestling team.

"They told us, if he couldn't sit by the age of 2, he probably would never walk," says Lucas' mom, Jill Lacina.

Despite living with cerebral palsy, he passed that goal by competing in his first match of the season against Austin Scranton.

Austin learned that day he would be competing against Lucas.

"They kind of just told me a little bit about Lucas like how he has a feeding tube and how I need to be careful with him since I'm a little bit bigger than him," says Austin.

Both wrestlers showing an entire gym and country the meaning behind true sportsmanship.

"Kids can be mean, they can be really cruel and what makes my heart so happy are kids like Austin," says Jill Lacina.

For Austin, it was about helping Lucas become a better wrestler.

"I kind of just wanted to do it because I wanted to help some kid that loves the same sport as me and to help him be really happy," says Austin.

But Lucas also leaving an impact on Austin's life.

"Lucas is an inspiring person and that it proves that you can do anything if you put your mind to it."