Senior Mike Runyan definitely has a sweet tooth. After every track practice, without fail, Runyan enjoys a Wild Cherry Pepsi and sometimes even a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup to reward himself for his hard work. Runyan doesn’t run just for the candy, though. Being a member of the track team is his senior project, one that suits his personality and interests. “I like to run,” he explained. “I liked getting my picture taken.” Special Education teacher Peggy Myers first realized that Runyan was a great runner when she ran around the People Trail with him during the school day. She had done research and found out that bipedal strenuous exercise can prove to be beneficial to those who have autism. “He did so well with it,” she said. “He’d run anywhere between thirty minutes and an hour, and he’d just run.” Together they ran the Mill Race Race in the fall. “That was his first road race ever. He got first place in his age division and a medal,” said Myers. When Myers first approached boys’ track coach Eric Gutjahr about Runyan participating this season, she was pleased to find out that the team was happy to have Runyan join them. “At East, the answer is always ‘why not?’ instead of ‘why?’” Myers explained. “I thought [it was] great,” said Gutjahr of finding out Runyan was interested. “I definitely like to run a program where we work with anyone and anybody who is interested in coming out.”Runyan has a list of things he needs to do at each practice, ranging from stretching to running laps. After finishing, he checks the item off of his list. He can practice with the team, but he is not allowed to run in IHSAA meets because he does not take enough core classes, and Life Skills classes do not count. Gutjahr has planned races at the beginning of meets that Runyan can participate in, though, running the mile or the 800. “The other guys will support him and cheer him on,” explained Gutjahr. Myers added that the girls’ team also encourages Runyan, cheering him on at practice. After the season ends, Runyan will continue to run outside of school. “He is going to do the running club,” Myers explained. Myers was also pleased to note that AAU track meets, in which Runyan will participate, will now include those with disabilities, and everyone will run together. “As an advocate for those with disabilities, you always are pushing for inclusion, not separation,” Myers said.As for now, Runyan has solidified himself as an official member of the boys’ team. Myers said that she loved seeing Runyan interacting with the other athletes during picture day. “[He was] just one of the guys. That was wonderful,” she said. “The guys have been great,” Gutjahr said. “It definitely shows that all people can be successful if they put in the effort.” “I would like for him to learn what it is to race. I just hope he’s a part of the team and just loves running,” Myers said.Mission accomplished. At one recent after-school practice, Myers wrote ‘Running is...” on a piece of paper so Runyan could fill in the blank. When he handed the sheet back to her, Myers was overjoyed to see what it said. There, in red ink at the top of the page, was written, “Running is happy.” n Evie Shultz

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