ADAPTIVE TRACK HEATS UP
Usually, the start of the adaptive track season comes well into the summer season. Prairie Grit Athletes meet once a week, on a Wednesday night, throughout the summer. They throw shotput and javelin, they try a long jump, and run the track. It’s a fun practice – but there is no timed heat, no spectators, just themselves and the hot sun heating the track. But this year Prairie Grit track started earlier, and the heat was turned up.
It wasn’t just because it was hot early on that May morning at Duane Carlson Stadium. Yes, the sun beamed down on middle school athletes warming up on the track, but this day wasn’t just about competition—it was about inclusion, perseverance, and breaking down barriers. It was the start of something. The athletes didn’t know that, and the parents weren’t aware but the trail was blazed. Among the crowd of young athletes waiting for their events were three special competitors: Mason Keller, Stella Liccini, and Sophia Burdick. For the first time ever, the Minot middle school track meet featured an adaptive heat, an opportunity for athletes with disabilities to compete alongside their able-bodied peers. And it was a day to remember.
The inaugural Prairie Grit Heat was more than just another race; it was a step toward broader inclusion in school sports, something Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports had been advocating for years. As Executive Director Krystal Butgereit described it, “This was the first step toward including adaptive athletes in more track and field meets, more sports, and more opportunities within our community. It's not just about creating space; it's about changing a mindset.”
The Courage to Compete
For these three athletes, the track felt different that day. In an environment where nerves can often get the best of any competitor, Mason, Stella, and Sophia stood tall, waiting their turns. The crowd, a mixture of students and parents, passively watching on until the adaptive athletes stepped up, then the cheers grew even louder.
Mason Keller, known for his love of sled hockey and CrossFit, took to the 400 meters and shotput with determination. “Mason was very motivated to do his best,” said his mom, Melissa Keller. “During practices with Prairie Grit, he hadn’t run the entire lap, but at the meet, he ran the whole length, feeling like a true competitor.”
Stella Liccini, who participates in everything from cross-country to gymnastics, had a similar experience. Her mom, Hilory, was struck by the support Stella received from her classmates. “The best part of the day was when students in the stands cheered for the PG athletes by name. They knew them because they are their classmates and peers. It didn’t feel like there was an ‘us/them’ mentality—they were just excited to cheer them on as athletes, peers, and friends.”
Sophia Burdick, accompanied by her father and bolstered by the practice Prairie Grit provided before the meet, took on the 100 meters with grit. Her dad, Zach Burdick, described the emotional moment as Sophia ran across the field, greeted by classmates and parents cheering extra loud. “Sophia gets anxious around large crowds,” he explained. “But after warming up and seeing familiar faces, she was smiling and squealing, trying to communicate with her friends about what she was going to do.”
For these athletes, it wasn’t just about participation—it was about showing what they could achieve when given the chance.
A Shift in the Community
What made this event truly special was the overwhelming support from the broader community. Butgereit remarked on how the Minot High track and field coaches helped ensure the event ran smoothly and how the crowd responded with high-fives, cheers, and genuine enthusiasm. “Our community has wrapped their arms around our mission,” she said. “At the event, coaches and classmates cheered just as loud, if not louder, for our participants as they competed. Inclusion wasn’t just seen, but felt by our participants and their families.”
Parents, too, were moved by the overwhelming positivity surrounding the day. Melissa Keller reflected on the pride she felt when Mason heard his name announced as the winner of both the shotput and the 100 meters. “It took a lot of courage for these three athletes to be the first to compete at a middle school track meet as adaptive athletes,” she said. “But seeing the students cheer for Mason and the others was a step in the right direction.”
The Road Ahead for Adaptive Sports
This track meet marked an important milestone in Prairie Grit’s journey toward greater inclusion in competitive sports. While this year’s adaptive division only featured three participants, it paved the way for future opportunities. “The future of adaptive sports is moving toward inclusion and integration,” Butgereit explained. “Not a separate date, time, or venue from their peers, but alongside their peers, learning from and cheering for each other.”
For the Burdick family, this event was a powerful reminder of what’s possible. “I never fathomed that Sophia would have an opportunity like this,” Zach said. “It was emotional seeing the middle school athletes and parents cheering extra loud for the PG athletes. It was priceless.”
Hilory Liccini echoed this sentiment, noting that the experience opened doors for Stella’s continued participation in sports like cross country. “Stella's confidence has skyrocketed,” she said. “This opportunity showed her what it’s like to be part of a team, and now, she runs with the rest of the cross-country team, feeling included in every way.
A Legacy of Grit
As the day at Duane Carlson Stadium drew to a close, the significance of what had just taken place lingered in the minds of everyone present. Prairie Grit’s adaptive athletes had not only competed, but they had also inspired others with their courage, determination, and resilience. This event was more than just a race; it was a celebration of inclusion, a testament to the power of community, and a glimpse into the bright future of adaptive sports.
As the stadium emptied and the athletes packed up their gear, one thing was clear: adaptive track is heating up. For Mason, Stella, Sophia, and future athletes like them, the track is wide open, ready for more moments of triumph and celebration. And for Prairie Grit, the mission continues—proving that with the right support and opportunities, every athlete can shine.