Max Hughes was a tenacious 21-year-old with a deep love for his family, friends, the sport of wrestling, and sneakers when he was killed in a car accident in 2020.

A three-time Nebraska wrestling state champion for Syracuse High School and a collegiate wrestler for Iowa Western, Hughes was well-known for his warm smile, hard work ethic, and enormous collection of unique footwear, especially Nike shoes.

His parents, Barb and Jon Hughes, knew when they created the Max Wrestling Scholarship in 2021 they wanted to honor their son’s love of sneakers by awarding each scholarship recipient with a pair of unique kicks, along with money for college.

One of this year’s Max Wrestling Scholarship winners was recent Callaway graduate, Lila Bloomer, who received a $1,000 check and a pair of Off White Nike Dunk Low sneakers, handpicked for her by Max Hughes’s sister and her husband, Baylee and Karl.

“She’s 26, so we put that on her and her husband, that’s their job,” said Barb Hughes. “They’re, ya know, young enough and hip enough.”

Bloomer, who finished in 3rd place at 185 pounds at the inaugural Nebraska State Activities Association Girls State Wrestling Tournament, has committed to wrestle for Chadron State College in the fall.

She wrestled all four years of high school and had the opportunity to participate in the first sanctioned season of girls wrestling this year with the NSAA, giving them a season equal to what boys have had since wrestling began in 1961.

Barb and Jon Hughes recently surprised Bloomer and her family on a trip through Callaway to present her with a scholarship check and her footwear.

They also shared stories about their son, his legacy, and their time at Chadron State where they attended college, and Bloomer’s future.

“I think this is the neatest thing,” said Bloomer of the surprise.

For those interested in reading about the life of Max Hughes or the Max Wrestling Scholarship, please visit www.maxwrestlingscholarship.org