MANKATO, Minn -
The rivalry between Mankato East and West runs deep, but at Tuesday night's basketball game between the schools, fans were on the same team when it comes to fighting heart disease.
While there will definitely be some competition on the court, there will also be some healthy competition in the stands about a healthy topic.
Health Science Instructor and HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Advisor Kim Mueller says, "We are teaming up with the American Heart Association to bring awareness to cardiovascular health by having as many West students student wear red and as many East students wear white to kind of show our competition and support of the American heart association and cardiovascular health."
Student Heyle Freeberg says, "We are coming together as a community and showing that we can support on cause, even with two different rivalries."
Students from both school involved in HOSA have been collecting donations for the American Heart Association in exchange for a shirt for students to wear to the game.
Mueller says, "We hope we see as much red on the west side and as much white on the east side as we possibly can."
The group hopes the friendly competition will raise some money, and get fans thinking about their health.
Freeberg says, "I know as a high school student I don't really think about heart problems."
Mueller says, "What are the warning signs for a heart attack, what if one of my loved ones show one of these signs, what can I do, what are some ways I can eat healthy?"
While the rivalry is sure to still be felt at the game, fans will united in the fight against heart disease.
