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Kennedale High School is a place where students thrive, champions rise to the top, and high standards challenge every student to overcome obstacles and achieve high levels of success. {{more: continue …}}?Last week, Kennedale High School hosted the KHS Wildcat Invitational Track Meet. At every meet, student-athletes fight fatigue, weather, wind, long days, injuries, and other variables, in the quest for victory and in the spirit of competition.But, in some circumstances, some student-athletes compete while facing extraordinary obstacles that would, frankly, be too much for most of us to overcome. These unique challenges would bring excuses, rather than determination and a fight-to-the-end attitude.One young Wildcat has such an extraordinary challenge. To help understand her plight, imagine trying to run around the track blindfolded, with only a few tiny holes of daylight peeping through the blindfold.For KHS freshman, Mariah Maryman, this is her challenge. Mariah’s mother told us that Mariah was born pre-maturely and has no vision in her left eye. She has just enough vision in her right eye to make out the white lines that separate the lanes on the track.?Last week, Mariah competed and did well in the individual 800 yard and 1600 yard races. Mariah ran a mile and half with a significant visual impairment. Some might think of obstacles such as these as insurmountable to overcome. Mariah proves that she has a different outlook on the world. She believes that big challenges are really just big opportunities.And, sometimes you have to have faith, guts, and determination…especially when you can’t see the finish line. ?
Mariah pictured last year as she competed in cross-country for South High while tethered to Coach Brian
WestHoff_photo- SHS
In the fall, Mariah will run with the KHS Cross Country Team. The typical cross country race is 3.1 miles, and while there will be no white lane dividers to guide her, she will be tethered to another runner as she negotiates the cross country trail.?
