A Camanche track and field athlete born with spina bifida was more determined than ever heading into the Iowa State Track meet his senior year.
Drake Sachsenmier competed in many events in the wheelchair division at the 2014 Iowa High School Athletic Association State Track and Field Meet during Memorial Day weekend. He was successful in the competition and wrapped up with a win in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and shot put.
As a freshman, Sachsenmier finished third, as a sophomore and junior he received runner-up places, and his senior year he took home the gold.
“From where I was my freshman year it's been a long road,” Sachsenmier explained. “I had surgery in the off season this year and thought I'd never make it back, but the guy upstairs helped me get here and my family and my friends helped me get here.”
Sachsenmier said after his surgery he put in "a lot of hard work in a short period of time" and that he came back his fourth year for many reasons, but mostly to honor his coach.
“I came back out just for him and I wanted this meet right here to be for him,” he said. “I'd like to thank my coach and shot put coach and my buddies on the track team.”