HAVERHILL — Two weeks ago, widespread wildfires tore through the heart of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles.
The area, between Santa Monica and Calabasas, was once home to about 23,000 people.
In just days, the Palisades Fires consumed 23,713 acres, destroying approximately 5,000 homes and about 80% of the neighborhood’s structures, according to recent reports. And it remains only 31% contained.
Among those caught in the blaze was Michael Lawlor, a former Haverhill High School wrestler who now coaches the sport at Palisades Charter High School. Luckily, Lawlor found himself on the more fortunate side of the fire.
“It’s almost an entire town that has a beautiful downtown area, a bunch of homes, a densely populated shopping district,” Lawlor said. “And it’s all gone.”
He said his home is out of harm’s way, which is only about five miles away from the disaster that’s taken the homes and property of friends and family.
His uncle and aunt’s household, where Lawlor spent many holidays, burnt down. A friend sent him a picture of where the structure once stood. Only ash and rubble are left.
Lawlor heads the PCHS wrestling team, a program that’s 45 students strong.
He said two of his wrestlers lost homes in the wildfires, while many others were forced to evacuate.
The wildfires burned parts of the school, but he said the gymnasium and the wrestling room were still standing, although they suffered some smoke and water damage.
“We can’t get on campus for a few months because it’s too hazardous,” Lawlor said. “But the buildings are still standing and it’s in good shape.”
As the campus has been deemed too dangerous for students to return, classes have shifted to online, while many of the athletics have come to a halt.
However, the wrestling team has already gotten back to the mats, but off-campus.
Lawlor said his team members needed a return to the sport they loved sooner rather than later. Under such devastating circumstances, the head coach recognized that reigniting that competitive spirit could keep the kids engaged and hopeful.
“This has been tough because the thing with wrestling is it’s really a sport where you need to practice everyday. As soon as everybody was safe, one of the first things I wanted to do was set this up.” Lawlor said.
Alex Chow, who is a parent-volunteer for the team, opened his Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym to the Palisades High wrestlers, allowing the boys to drill their double leg takedowns once again.
Many community members of the Palisades have promoted the sales of “Pali Strong” T-shirts, with $12 from each sale donated to affected families. Lawlor said that a large portion of the purchases are from Haverhill.
“I think we’ve probably sold more of these shirts in Haverhill than we have out here in California,” Lawlor said. “They’ve shown endless support.”
Despite the distance, the Haverhill community has rallied behind Lawlor and his team, showing support for folks in need.
Lawlor’s brother, Tim, is the head coach of the wrestling team at Haverhill High School. Their two teams of singlet-sporting youngsters have formed a bond over the years; a bond that stretches from coast to coast.
The Palisades Charter High School wrestling team threw a celebration for the Hillies, Lawlor said, after the Haverhill boys took home a state championship last year.
With much of his community still displaced, Michael Lawlor has continued raising funds for those who need it most. And as a die-hard Hillie himself, Lawlor said he’s glad he can count on his hometown for a helping hand.