Great column.....thanks for sharing this with all of us.

This column reminds us all of what makes sports great: people rising to levels thought beyond their abilities in the face of difficulty. The story of the autistic runner would have been touching by itself, but the impact this young many had on the teams of Bingham, Copper Hills, and West Jordan, was a greater preparation for life for all of the athletes than just running. They organized an act of love between 3 rivals and together bought the autistic boy a letterman jacket. They will never forget how they felt when they performed this act of love. Did any of those teams win state this year? Who cares? They won the only race that matters, the race to be kind and caring. Thanks for the great column. David Archuleta may be Utah's "Idol," but the athletes in this column are real heroes worthy of emulation.

Loved the article-thanks for the uplift. These kids are great examples of courage and determination.

A refreshing, inspiring article. Great kids, and there are many more like them mixed among those who often get more attention due to their bad decisions. What great examples these kids are!!!

Absolutly great kids in this column! Sometimes I think, "What are you going to do with parents!" That would be the parents who buy the cell phones, video games, saggy pants, TV sets and cars, and provide the money that is used to purchase drugs and tobacco, all the while hoping that that they are being parents who can give their children everything. In the meantime their children, emotionally crippled and totally unmotivated to provide growth experiences for themselves, never find the self determination to make their own lives into a masterpiece.

This brings to mind the most recent story I heard on the news about a girls softball player that hit a home run in the last inning to win the game. As she rounded first base hit the base wrong and broke her ankle. The umpire said the game would not be won unless she touched all four bases unassisted by anyone on her own team. If she couldn't then the game would be won by the opposing team. The opposing team picked her up and carried her to each base so they could win the game. Now that kind of true story motivates the best in all of us.

What an awesome article! Thank you for sharing good news to read and inspire us to be better people.

Amen to all the "good article" comments. A parent's greatest wish is to see their child turn out to be a decent person with good attributes, productive in society and accountable for their own subsistance. How much better when they see that happening to their teenager, rather than sweating it out all those years hoping the end result will be satisfactory.

Congratulations Mandie, thanks for four great years with us at Hillcrest.

Thanks for the great column! These kids are definitely an inspiration to the rest of us.

Doug is way behind. The New Era magazine did an article on Porter back in February. I can't post a URL here, but search for "Face Trials with Smiles" at the LDS Church's website, and it'll be the first article in the results list. Go Porter!

I can't not read this article and not say that this article was awesome, even though it has been said by everybody who posted before me. I'm thankful for kids like these, because I'm going to make sure that my 11 year old reads this. I'm hoping he'll get three things out of it: 1) Count your blessings and be thankful. 2) If they can work this hard, he can work hard. 3) Charity (Bingham, Copper Hills & West Jordan teams chipping in to buy his letterman jacket).

I've coached against Mandy (or is it Mandie tstu?). What a competitor. Great article and great people. I hope my kids have the same drive as them.

I am Matt's Lambert's Mom. Thank you Doug Robinson for such an outstanding article. All the students written about recived a special award at the High School State Track Meet last Saturday. Thanks Coach Fletcher for your comments. Thanks also go to Coach Lane Hensley for Coaching Matt long distance for the last three years.To Coach Hedi Summers West Jordan Track & Feild Coach for making Matt's senior year so awsome. To Coach Janna White West Jordan cross-country Coach for making it possible for Matt to letter in cross-country and to all his team mates in both cross-country and track. Also to Copperhills High school Coach Rushforth and team, to Binghan High School Coach Arbogast. Running has given Matt the opportunity to feel accepted and part of West Jordan High School

I am willing to bet that these kids never wanted any attention from any media. They just wanted to play and compete. I bet that they also don't feel special in any way. That it is "normal" to them what they do.

I can tell them that as much as they want to deflect the attention, it is amazingly deserved. Their stories need to be told. They are not the norm. They are people that have chosen to overlook adversity and adjust to doing things they way necessary to do what they love.

Kids are so resilient and each day kids like this inspire someone somewhere to overcome thier own adversities. Gotta say it puts a lump in my throat how these kids have handled things and how the kids on other teams respond to thier situations.

I saw Matt run for the first time at the state track meet. I was in awe of the courage and guts this kid has. What an inspreation to every single person that was there. Great article Doug.

I have something in my eye...What a wonderful column.

she is so hot

I don't know all of the kids mentioned, they sound like great kids. I was fortunate to coach a very highly regarded Salt Lake City team against Wayne's baseball team that included Porter. I had so much respect for them and him after we were done playing them. He is the real deal. I was so impressed because he viewed the world as his oyster and seized the day. Something that is often taken for granted by so many of us. I can tell you fear isn't in his vocabulary, but courage among other complimentary words are.

What the 1A & 2A kids don't have in the way of club sports and training, they make up for in grit and determination. It's nice to see Porter recognized - maybe Doug should do an in-depth article on small school sports and see what other gems are out there.

Doug, thanks for the great article! It is inspiring. Yes, I think you should do a more indepth article on these kids and learn more about their lives. We can learn from them.

We know Mandie and her family. The story only begins to tell what an inspiration she is to all. She's and her sisters are a joy to be around. We love 'ya Mandie! Congrats to all in the article - they make us want to try just a little harder.

Good job, you three! No, make that, OUTSTANDING job!!! God bless you all!, you are truly examples worthy of our admiration and respect!

Dan Maloy
Enid, OK

Thanks for the work, Doug! This is a great reminder to all of us. I appreicate the piece.

I have had the opportunity to work with Matt for the last three years and he is an example of everything that is right with high school sports in Utah. He has never won a high school race, never finished with the leaders but he has the heart of a champion. The night he received his letterman's jacket at our cross country banquet in 2006 will always be one of my most cherished memories. The jacket, as stated in the article was a gift, but the varsity letter itself was one he earned through his commitment, effort and significant performance improvement. I applaud Matt, Mandy and Porter for their fine example in rising above the limitations life has thrown at them.

I have an 8 year old with Downs Syndrom. She is in the public elementary school system. Her clasmates treat her with respect and kindness. Sometimes she is excluded but not generally. These children are special and interacting with them makes each of us better. Thanks for the article. I hope to see more in the future.

As a coach I always hope to have athletes like these three fine young people come along. I know Matt personally and he has made me a better person. He is the most genuine and kind person you will meet. Track at West Jordan High School next year will not be the same without him.

I Just want to Thank Track Tame and Cross Country.
Letterman's Jacket

I coached Mandy in Jr Jazz in 7th grade and super league in 8th. She was the hardest worker by far on the team. She had such a great attitude also. The 1st super league game of the season her 8th grade year she broke her ankle. It didn't discourage her at all. She still came to all the games and cheered the other girls on. What a great example.
I've continued to follow her sports career as my daughters have played basketball and ran track against her teams. I felt close to her and her parents but did not even find out about her CF untill she was in high school. Just shows the character of her and her parents. No one here looking for simpathy or excuses!
Congratulations on your award and your successful sports career. I expect continued greatness in all you do.

My Mom and My Dad and I .
Would like To Thaks Coach Henslee
and jana For My Letterman's Jacket
Tame Cross Country. and the Track Tame.

What a great article! I, too, was blessed with a young person who over came their adversity and taught me valuable lessons. Hope some of you remember Amanda, the blind runner from Grand County High. She is now married and a student at the University of Arizona. These young people are truly God's lessons in life to appreciate what we have and not worry about what we do not have. God's Blessings to these young people in the article and all others all around the country. Thank you. Coach R

Go Rudds! I have been blessed to coach Mandie and Natalie. What amazing young women! If they weren't sick with a terminal illness you'd still be inspired by their enthusiasm, kindess and spirit. I love you girls with all my heart.