By Chris Parker
Several years ago, MSHSAA added para events to the state track meet. One of the competitors in those early seasons was Joplin’s Camryn Ledford.
Video of her competing in those early years of the para events helped inspire Miller’s Hiram Nield who won three gold medals in Class 2 para events on Saturday.
“My former athletic director knew a girl from Joplin who graduated a few years back, Camryn Ledford. He found a video of her and got me into it,” Nield said. “I was kind of baffled (when I saw the video). I didn’t think it was possible to compete like this.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF DAY 2 OF THE MEET
Nield started out his day placing second in the discus.
Then he got on the track for the first time and won the 100-meter in front of a stadium full of cheering fans.
“It (the cheering crowd) is the best feeling ever. I can’t imagine anything feeling better than that,” Nield said.
He closed out his day with wins in the 200-meter and discus.
Saturday was an accomplishment Nield wasn’t sure would ever come.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF DAY 1 OF THE MEET
“For the longest time I didn’t think it would happen. To be here is kind of a miracle for me,” Nield said. “I am just ecstatic. It has been one of the best days of my life.”
Competing in track has been an overall great experience for Nield so far.
“Getting to know people with my same background has been really nice for me, my self-esteem and my competitiveness even,” Nield said.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE MEET
