Insights on the track

SPRINGVILLE — An athlete who makes no excuses is a welcome change in the modern sports world. And for someone who's had to overcome a greater difficulty than most, Phil Mecham still asks for no special treatment.

Mecham, a senior track and field athlete at Springville High School, is considered blind by legal standards. But talking with him, one would never know it.

"I'm not even sure what it takes to be legally blind, to be totally honest," Mecham said. "They just tell me I am, so I believe it.

"I can see about 5 feet with clarity. If you held up five fingers from 5 feet away, I'd be able to tell you. But other than that, not much."

When asked how his eyesight affects his life, Mecham just responds with a questioning look on his face, stating firmly that it presents no grand obstacle for him.

"No, not anymore," Mecham said. "When I was in elementary school, I got made fun of a lot for my glasses, because they're so thick.

"But I just ran. Actually, some recesses, I just used to run around the school over and over again."

That early running habit has kept Mecham going right to the top of Utah's prep track ranks. Mecham finished the indoor season with the seventh-fastest time in Utah for the 800 meters. This spring, he looks to defend his region title in the event and improve on last year's ninth-place finish at the state meet.

"I'm hoping to qualify for state in four events," Mecham said. "The open 400 by region, the 800 for sure, maybe the mile, and the 4 by 400 or medley relay. I'm hoping to qualify by time in the 800."

Mecham's goals fit right in line with the Red Devils' team aspirations as they look for strong showings throughout the season.

"Phil's a big part of our plans," said Springville head coach Jeff Wales. "He does a lot of different things for us. It's just going to be a matter of where we put him, where we can get the most points.

"He's definitely a big part of us being able to contend for a region title and maybe even finish in the top three at state."

Wales has been tutoring Mecham through the years, as the two began their track careers at Springville together four years ago. In that time, Wales has seen the unique challenges that Mecham has had to overcome.

"There are times when he'll be bringing the baton in on a relay, and he can't find his teammate," Wales said. "He can't pick them out sometimes, especially if the jerseys are close to the same color. Number one, he's tired, and number two, he doesn't see that well.

"It's a crack-up, but he does OK. We trust him, and he does well."