Howland High School athlete seeking support to take racing to “next level”
A sophomore at Howland High School, recently named a state and national champion in seated shot put, is seeking support to take his athletic career to the next level.
Kellan Shipman was born with spina bifida.
“[It’s] a condition that affects my spinal cord and mobility. Racing and competing give me a way to push past my limits and show others that disability doesn’t mean inability—it just means I do things a little differently,” Shipman wrote.
In addition to shot put, Shipman competed in the 100m, 400m and 800m races in the Ohio High School Athletics Association’s Seated Division.
The 16-year-old is seeking support from donors on GoFundMe and local businesses for a custom-built racing chair.
Upgrading from his standard racing chair to a custom chair for his measurements will let Shipman race more comfortably and safely in future events.
“ A custom chair will be perfectly tailored to my body, which will maximize my speed, improve my form, and—most importantly—help prevent injuries. Whether I am sprinting on the track or pushing through the miles on the road, I am fully committed to growing as an athlete and showing what is possible through determination and community support,” he said.
Shipman’s goal is to raise $5,000 all while training for his first half-marathon.
