Millage donates state-championship medals in honor of friend and teammate who died in ATV accident

Tragedy struck the community of Charles City early last month when 15-year-old Logan Luft  died as the result of a tragic ATV accident.

The son of Lenny and Wendy Luft, Logan, who was a firm believer in being an organ donor, was able to donate to five different individuals.

Along with being avid about organ donation, Luft was also a dedicated and talented wrestler. His goal from a very early age was to win a state wrestling title. Although this dream for Logan was cut short, his friend Michael Millage, a two-time state champion, donated his medals and asked that they be placed in Logan’s casket.

Millage, the son of Melissa Blockhus, a Postville High School graduate, and Travis Blockhus, and Luft were friends and teammates on the Immortal Athletes Wrestling Club of Waverly.

Millage, the grandson of Mike and Dorothy Looney of Postville and Scott and Christy Blockhus, said, “I felt Logan deserved the medals and I asked his parents if I could give him mine.”

Michael explained that he and Logan became very close when they were members of the Elite Takedown Club for several years.

As a two-time state champion, Millage, who is getting ready for his senior year as a New Hampton Chickasaw, knew first hand the hard work and determination that Logan possessed. After meeting with the Luft family, Millage was given their blessing. Therefore, with the true spirit of the close-knit wrestling community, he placed the medals in Logan’s casket prior to the funeral.

Of his decision, Michael said, “Logan was a good leader and role model for the wrestling community. He always came into the wrestling room with a positive attitude and a big heart. I chose to give him my medals because I knew it was his lifelong dream to earn a state championship.”

Read the full article in the August 9 edition of the Postville Herald.