First Loser

“Cunningham offers the Friday Night Lights of high school wrestling, a convincing picture of the athletes grappling with life on and off the mat.” — Dr. Randy Nelson, Winner of the Flannery O'Connor Award“[A] powerful novel rich in the delights of competition and contemplation.” — D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review“A gritty and honest look at the painful truths that teens and adults must face.” — Kirkus ReviewsA high school wrestler will do anything to make his dad proud. The problem? His dad is dead.Connor Castaway lives for victory—pushing his injured body to the limit, chasing records, and numbing the pain with pills he shouldn’t have. Wrestling isn’t just a sport; it’s an inheritance, a way to honor a father who left more expectations than memories. But as Connor claws closer to the top, he uncovers the dangerous truths in his corner: rivalries, lies, and the destructive obsessions that threaten to consume them all.From fraught love interests and hallucinatory benders to betrayal, addiction, and the brutal cost of relentless ambition, First Loser is a raw, tense, and unflinching story about obsession, legacy, and the fine line between greatness and self-destruction—a coming-of-age journey for anyone who’s ever chased approval, battled demons, or wondered if winning is worth the cost—and what it takes to finally be free.