Middle school track fans witnessed a thrilling moment when Lincoln Middle School’s Saige Sprouse captured the win in her heat of the 100-meter dash at the May 15 Harrison County championships at Liberty High School. The 15-year-old athlete couldn’t have been more excited if she had just crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon. Truly elated and sporting the biggest smile, she raised up her arms in victory, immediately engaging with her opponents, one representing each of the other Harrison County middle schools.

 

It had been orchestrated, but with most sincere intentions. Saige, winding up her second year on the Wildcat Track Team, had worked tirelessly this season to trim time off her events. From the time she arrived at track practice until the time the session was over, she repeatedly ran her course. Come scorching sun, frigid snow or rain, she repeated the protocol, never with an ounce of complaint and always beaming with happiness.  

 

Such dedication and perseverance is admirable in any athlete, but the fact that Saige was born with down syndrome and endured a three-year plus battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, that attitude of self-improvement is even more impressive.

 

“Saige is just a delight and on the track team, she was one of the hardest workers,” said Wildcat Head Coach Kevin Nuzum. “I treated her just like anyone else on the team and everyone else did, too. She did stretches and warm-up drills. She practiced and worked hard on her events – the 100- and 200-meter dashes – and she did improve her times.”

 

Fist pumps, cheers and congratulatory hugs followed each of her competitive events, even though Saige finished dead last. But the hug of all hugs happened after that 100-meter dash victory when she jumped into the arms of LMS girls’ track coach Dawn Riestenberg. It was a special moment indeed and Riestenberg – also a former teacher to Sprouse – got to hear Saige’s first words following her victory.

“She said ‘I did it,’ then ‘I won’ and that was really emotional for me,” Riestenberg said. “Saige is one of my favorite people.”

 

The two have been close since Saige first entered LMS as a 6^th grader. She was in Riestenberg’s computer class when they really clicked and since then, Saige has greeted her with a most enthusiastic hug.  

 

“She jumps into my arms, whether I’m ready or not and then I spin her around,” she said.

 

As all teachers do, Riestenberg thrives on getting through to her students – that learning connection. But with Sprouse, there’s much more to the equation.

 

“If I see her in the cafeteria and she is upset about something, she’ll just let me hold her,” Riestenberg said. “She doesn’t have barriers. She’s incredibly easy to love.”

 

There’s no way you can know Saige and not love her, Riestenberg said.

 

“Her smile is infectious and she doesn’t know a stranger. She loves everyone.”

 

Saige is not only passionate about her own track performance, but is her team members’ biggest cheerleader. She tirelessly yells for them and stays – along with her aid Juanita Cain or her mom Sarah – until the very last race is completed, regardless of the time of night.

 

Sarah Sprouse thinks it’s important for her daughter to know good sportsmanship and to be engaged in school sports and activities. She said her daughter thrives on the interaction and feedback, but also on the physical fitness.

 

“Before and after the cancer, Saige dealt with chronic lung disease. She was constantly sick, in and out of the hospital and on one antibiotic after another,” Sprouse said. “Last year, we decided to try Challenger basketball and after that we tried track. It has done wonders for her. We went to her lung doctor in March and she was dismissed from him. She’s not on any medicine. Being active has helped her to be healthy, so it’s a win-win.”

 

Saige was a preschool student at Big Elm Elementary - not quite 5 years old - when she was diagnosed with ALL. She endured much chemotherapy, both in the hospital and at home. Because of her weakened immune system, she couldn’t attend school. That was hard on her, but in true Saige spirit, she persevered. The community and school was very supportive of her battle. They stood behind her then and they stand behind her now. Saige truly loves her school mates, teachers and coaches.

 

“She’s not your typical kid. She absolutely loves going to school,” her mom said. “She gets upset when it snows or during the summer when there’s no school. She wants to be there. She loves it.”

 

She also loves the medal she received after winning that 100-meter dash heat Tuesday evening. She has slept in it and taken it with her everywhere she has gone since that shining moment. Sprouse said her daughter repeated the words, “I won” until she fell asleep that night.

 

Saige also recently made her stage debut. She played the role as one of the orphans in the LMS/Lincoln High School production of “Annie” last month. As play rehearsals and track practice took place over the same weeks, Saige kept a schedule many kids wouldn’t stick with. She never missed a beat.

 

“She has a strong sense of school spirit,” Riestenberg said. “She loves being a Wildcat and, of course, we love having her as a Wildcat.”

 

Saige will be a freshman at LHS in August. She hopes to be part of the Cougar Track Team.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy of Kevin Nuzum and Sarah Sprouse. Video is courtesy of Sarah Perine.