Drake Sachsenmeier of Camanche High (left) and Jordan Houdeshell of Linn-Mar High School get set to start in an Iowa cross country meet.
Photo courtesy of IHSAA
The Ohio High School Athletic Association recently became the 15th organization to sponsor a wheelchair division in its state track program.
Iowa was the first state to implement wheelchair track in 1990. Other states that offer it include Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.
Ohio Track and Field Director Dale Gabor told MaxPreps, "It really began with the Ohio Track & Field Coaches Association. We were doing a review of our mission statement, which is sports for all individuals. We wanted to know how we could expand this. According to surveys, we had approximately 6,000 to 8,000 (Ohio) kids in wheelchairs.
"We provide a great venue. Our state championship drew over 27,000 for two days. We hope to attract enough attention... that maybe it will open doors in some other states to follow suit."
Cathy Sellers, who is track & field Director of High Performance Paralympics for the U.S. Olympic Committee, called Ohio's move "huge. Ohio is one of the top four states (along with California, Florida and Texas) for track & field. I don't think it (the success) will be any different than for traditional sports. I'm really pleased that Ohio has taken this step. It's a great opportunity. Some of these kids are embedded in schools with people who say they can't do these things."
The first year Iowa added wheelchair track, 16 contestants entered the competition. This year the state meet drew five.
Assistant Executive Director Dave Anderson said that Iowa offered the 100, 200, 400 and 800 meters plus the discus and shot put. Over the years the discus and 800 have been dropped, due at least in part because athletes are limited to a maximum of four events.
Anderson pointed out that wheelchair athletes must live up to all the standards of the other entries, including academics.
"This isn't Special Olympics to them," he pointed out. "We make sure they are part of the (overall) program. Another issue is the scoring. They do not score for their teams (only for themselves)."
Sean Runyan was such a standout in the 1,500 meters that he is a member of the
Dowling (West Des Moines, Iowa) Hall of Fame.
Iowa also broke another barrier last fall when it became the first state to allow wheelchair athletes to compete in its state cross country meet. More than 6,000 fans watched the 5K race.
Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa) junior Jordan Houdeshell, competing in Class 4A, was timed in 17 minutes, 4 seconds. In Class 2A, sophomore Drake Sachsenmeier finished in 21:28.
Sellers is excited about the Paralympic Trials, which will be held in Indianapolis on June 29-30 and July 1. She mentioned seven top prep athletes who have a legitimate shot at making the upcoming London Olympics. They are:
Ray Martin
Courtesy of USOC
* Ray Martin, a rising junior from
County Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) who does the 100, 200, 400 and 800. He won the 400 and 800 during the last Pan American Games in Mexico.
Chelsea McClammer
Photo courtesy of USOC
* Carleigh DeWald, a rising junior from
Canby (Ore.) who does the 100 and 200.
* Chelsea McClammer, a recent graduate of
Richland (Wash.) who won the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 at the Pan American Games. She was the youngest USA Paralympics competitor in the Beijing Olympics.
* Austin Pruitt, a recent graduate of
Central Valley (Veradale, Wash.) who does the 100, 200 and 400.
* Amber Lynn Weber, a classmate of Pruitt's and a recent graduate who does the 100, 200 and 400.
* Gianfranco Iannotta, a rising junior from
Garfield (N.J.) who does the 400 and 800.
* Tobi Fawehinmi, a rising junior at
Mansfield (Texas), an arm amputee who can long jump 22 feet, 9 3/4 inches and triple jump 44-1 1/2.
Sellers pointed out, "We have the deepest field we ever have had. I get to name 54 athletes to the team. It's going to be an absolute barn burner. I predict a number of world records will be set (in the trials)."
Another big payoff could be some scholarship help in college. Sellers said Penn State, Arizona and Illinois have top wheelchair track programs. She said that McClammer and Weber both are headed for Illinois.
