As national competitors gathered for the second annual Miller Family Open adaptive track meet, the community was met with an influx of youth. Teens from across the country gathered to set national records for their disability classification, looking to beat their own personal records in the process.
In this non-scoring meet, young athletes found support and inspiration in unexpected friendships and moments that helped redefine the spirit of the sport.
The throwing events took place in the morning and consisted of athletes 14 and up whose physical abilities classify them into either the standing or seated event. The first shot put event was open to any participants who were able to stand independently.
With the first throw of the shot put event, 14-year-old Benton Morse took to the throwing circle. As a recent leg amputee, Morse was quick to enter the world of adaptive sports. And in his first event of the day, his growing resilience was enhanced by the veterans. Despite a disappointing throw, Morse’s sinking morale was lifted by veteran thrower Mike Diehl.
“Everyone knows everybody,” Coach Calvin Sullins said. “It’s really easy to make things like this happen when everyone has the same mission of giving athletes opportunities, getting athletes the opportunity to come out here, compete against everyone, all different classes, all mixed together.”
Diehl, an athlete familiar in adapting to new levels of physicality, paused his warm up to provide some words of encouragement. Approaching Morse, he reminded him how the body responds to negative self talk. Diehl then walked Morse through his form and reestablished technique.
As the event went on, it was soon time for Morse to take another throw. In a new fate, he approached the throwing circle. Applying his refined technique, he found a new strategy. Although he was unsatisfied with his throw, his frustration faded. In the moment of perseverance, his resilience empowered a multitude of competitors and filled the field with positivity.
Morse’s experience points out a particular difficulty within the adaptive sport space, especially regarding young athletes. While varsity college athletes fall within a specific age range and qualify based on their skill as able-bodied individuals, adaptive athletes compete alongside a much broader range of competitors. With numerous disability classifications competing at all different ages, it can feel daunting to participate alongside national record holders and Paralympic athletes. Simultaneously, the wide array of athletes that filled the field at the Miller Family Open showcased the impact of adaptive sports on young athletes and shine a light on what’s to come for the community.
Seventeen-year-old multi-athlete Max Allabaugh did just that.
Less than two years ago, Allabaugh discovered para track. He classifies with an above-the-elbow limb deficiency and has been competing on his high school track team in sprints and jumps. He traveled to Michigan in hopes of qualifying for the upcoming USATF Para National Championship in Oregon.
In his first event of the meet, Allabaugh ran the 100-meter sprint. Crossing the finish line with a time of 12.08 seconds, things immediately looked good for Allabaugh. His experience as a national competitor has provided him familiarity with the Wolverines’ para athletes and staff. Seeing his successes, the stands ignited.
“It’s really fun being meeting all these people and experiencing everybody’s different advantages and disadvantages on the field,” Allabaugh said. “It’s really cool to be exposed to these kinds of disabilities. Because it’s not really disabilities, it’s what we can do, ability wise to push ourselves to get those performances.”
Next for Allabaugh was the long jump. Within his initial attempts, Allabaugh qualified for the national championship with a distance of 5.79 meters. As the tension released, he used the remainder of the event fighting to notch a new personal record. Although he was not successful in exceeding his record, every second he took to refine his technique and energize others left him in an optimal position for his final and most anticipated event of the day, the 400-meter race.
At the start line, Allabaugh lined up alongside the university athletes and seasoned professionals, preparing for the starter pistol. The race began, and even in Allabaugh’s first steps, his relentless stamina was evident. Pushing fearlessly around the track, he collapsed the barriers of traditional races. Propelling his body forward he neared the final 100 meters. And, once again, the support and excitement for the youth of the para athlete community levitated the crowd and fellow competitors. Allabaugh crossed the finish line with a time of 55.07 seconds.
This achievement was not only huge for him, but for the entirety of para track and field. Guided by veteran athletes and Paralympic competitors, the Miller Family Open welcomed young individuals and new athletes to shine.
