While only a few realized Meehan had just run the 3.1-mile course in 47 minutes, 10 seconds — setting a personal record by five minutes — they celebrated his determination and drive to finish the race at Fenwick High School.
Meehan, a sophomore, was born with Down syndrome and is a first-year cross country runner.
When the gun sounded, and the other distance runners sprinted to the lead, Meehan and his running companion, Jennifer Hall, wife of Badin assistant cross country coach Nathan Hall faded toward the back. By the time Meehan reached the first half mile, the rest of the runners were out of his sight.
But Hall remained right at his side, sometimes running backward to make it easier to offer verbal support.
“You got it. You got it,” she said. “Looking good Mike.”
There were times throughout the 5K race when it seemed Meehan and Hall were running by themselves. As Meehan ran along Ohio 122 in front of Fenwick, some of the other runners — those who finished the varsity race that was run earlier — cheered him on.
Hall called running with Meehan “the highlight of my weekend.”
This is Meehan’s first season running cross country, and with the sweltering heat this school year, Badin coach Ann Gruenbacher said he picked “a tough season” to start. She did not realize until well into the season that those with Down syndrome don’t sweat, or sweat very little, so they’re particularly prone to overheating on hot days, she said.
Throughout the season, she said Meehan’s teammates, competitors and spectators have treated Meehan like “a rock star.” By the time he finishes races, most of the other runners have received their awards.
Hall said she remembered a race earlier in the year when Meehan was about to finish during the awards presentation. The announcer stopped and encouraged those in the crowd to cheer for Meehan. Another time, Hall said, she ran ahead of Meehan and told other runners who were finished that he was approaching. She said some of the runners put their shirts back on and finished the race with Meehan.
“Community,” she said.
Gruenbacher said Meehan is a perfect example of the Badin cross country philosophy: “We encourage everybody to come out and run. Whether you’re been running your whole life or you ran your first mile on Aug. 1.”
Hall said every time Meehan runs, he teaches a valuable lesson, which is that “anybody can do anything. We all belong and we all matter.”
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