Trinity runner an inspiration to all

Sep 28, 2008 (High Point Enterprise - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- NKE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The crowd gathered at the finish line even though long minutes had passed with no activity.

Cheers went up as the final runner approached the throng. Then a hush fell over the group as Jacob Grochowski fell to the soggy ground at Hagan-Stone Park.

He got up, just like he always does, and crossed the line to a huge ovation.

"It gives me chill bumps just thinking about it," Trinity senior Ashton Vance recalled of the moment during the Bulldogs' six-team meet. "He was coming in and everybody was lined up and he fell. But he kept going. He definitely has a lot of heart.

"I'm real proud of him," Vance added. "He's one of a kind, that's for sure."

Vance got to know Grochowski when he managed the soccer team a few years ago. Grochowski spent last winter managing the boys basketball team for Bulldogs' hoops/cross country coach Tim Kelly.

"Basically, I was getting tired of managing sports," Grochowski said with a smile. "I wanted to find something I actually could compete in. Cross country was first to cross my mind. Running has always been one of my hobbies. I've always loved to run."

Just one problem -- Grochowski can't walk but a few steps without his crutches. Cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects muscle movement, has forced him to use his arms to drag uncooperative legs his entire life.

That didn't prevent the junior from telling Kelly during basketball season that he planned to try out for cross country this fall.

"I said, "You know, it's 3.1 miles -- it's pretty tough for anybody,' " Kelly recalled. "He said, "I know, but I'm really going to do it.' "

He did, creating a remarkable buzz on the first day of practice.

"It was amazing," junior Dustin Mann explained. "I don't know how he does it. He works hard, does everything like we do in practice, he does the exact amount. He inspires us like crazy."

Kelly saw the initial skepticism from Grochowski's teammates quickly fade to respect and admiration.

"I think it actually helped some of them early on quit griping so much when they had to do some things," the coach said. "Here he is -- if he's not griping, why should you be, things like that."

For his part, Grochowski could only smile at the memory of that first day.

"I've got to say, they were surprised," he recalled. "(Teammate) Kenny Collishaw was one of them who said, if he had my disability, he wouldn't be able to do it. It was really quite something, actually. I get a lot of support from them."

Not too much, though. Mann said Grochowski won't allow any of his teammates to help him up when he falls. Grochowski happily accepted a drink from Vance after last Wednesday's meet at Archdale's Creekside Park, but "Jacob is a very self-reliant young man," Kelly said. "He wants to do everything himself."

Most of all, he wants to improve on his 3.1-mile treks. Grochowski took 55 minutes to complete his first race this fall. A few weeks later he was down to 45 minutes. The last race saw Grochowski cross the finish line in 42:23, which had teammates gushing about the great improvement.

Grochowski's goal is to reach the 30s: 13-minute miles on short black crutches with black Nike weight-lifting gloves digging into the grips -- and shoulders taking a beating across the rugged terrain.

"It's very exhausting sometimes, but my shoulders kind of heal quick," Grochowski said. "In the end, it's all worth it."

And hey, there are those fringe benefits to taking the hard road.

"He's definitely got some buff arms," Vance praised.

How could he not after relying on his arms all these years? Cerebral palsy is a disorder that manifests itself in infancy. While there is no cure for the condition, neither does it worsen over time.

"It's something I've been dealing with my whole life, and really, I don't see it going away," Grochowski said matter-of-factly. "I can take a few steps without my crutches, and that's an improvement in itself, but unless I get a miracle to happen I don't see it going away. Really, that doesn't bother me. I don't mind running on crutches my whole life. I started out with a walker and gradually moved to the crutches. God-willing, maybe that will move into walking."

Grochowski plans to try out for wrestling this winter before returning to the cross country courses next fall. What's in store following his senior year at Trinity?

"Go to college, study theatre arts, become an actor," Grochowski said. "That's been one of my dreams since I was 10 years old."

Sound farfetched for someone living with cerebral palsy? Like an impossible dream?

Watch Grochowski emerge from the woods following a 3.1-mile trek on crutches.

Listen to the appreciative applause from those gathered at the finish line.

Witness the satisfied smile spread across the runner's face.

Is anything truly impossible?

shanf@hpe.com -- 888-3526

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