Jeremiah Mangels was born with spina bifida, adopted from an orphanage in China at age six, and has spent the years since proving that limits are often just other people’s expectations. The Lee’s Summit, Missouri high schooler has now won 11 consecutive state championships in track and was named a Para High School All-American in the 100-meter dash by USA Track & Field. He plays basketball too, and he has his sights set on the Paralympics in one or both sports.
The part of his story that sticks with you might be his teammates. Senior Jaisaiah Turner, asked about Jeremiah, said simply, “To me, he ain’t different. He’s just like me. He’s just like everybody else on the track team.” That’s what inclusion looks like when it’s real: no special treatment, no distance, just a teammate working as hard as everyone else.
Jeremiah’s own explanation for his success is even simpler. When he’s pushing down the track, he thinks “next push, next push.” Never quitting. His mother, Amy, and his coaches credit his resilience and self-belief, and anyone who has rebuilt after a storm season on the Suncoast understands that mindset. So here’s our question for you: which athlete in your life taught you the most about perseverance? Tell us in the comments.
