Teen overcomes cerebral palsy to run for the celebrated York Dukes

Connor Chadwick struggled to run just a short distance when he joined York High School's cross-country team as a freshman almost five years ago.

He was born with cerebral palsy, wore casts on his legs as a little boy and then leg braces night and day until just before he started high school.

None of that fazed Joe Newton, the legendary coach of the York Dukes, who have won more state championships than any other high school team in the country.

"We take anybody that walks," Newton said.

Some of the freshman he recruits with gusto will turn out to be all-state runners. And a few, like Connor, one of several York runners featured in the 2008 documentary "The Long Green Line," will become an inspiration to their teammates.

"He's like their hero," Newton said.

Supported by his coach and family, cheered on by teammates at the finish line and powered by his own determination and hard work, Connor worked his way up to 10-mile training runs and 8-minute miles.

On Saturday, June 20, the Elmhurst 18-year-old will lead runners from the starting line for the Children's Memorial Hospital Race for the Kids 5K Run/Walk at Soldier Field in Chicago. "If it wasn't for Children's," said his mother, Susan O'Connor-Chadwick, "he wouldn't be able to run."

Along with cerebral palsy, Connor also has juvenile arthritis and a slight weakness on his right side, the result of a mild stroke. Starting at about age 5, Connor was treated in Children's serial casting program to lengthen the muscles in his legs so he wouldn't walk on his tip toes.

"He went through a lot to get where he is," said Mary Weck, clinical coordinator for physical therapy at Children's, who has known Connor since he was a little boy. Back then, nobody would have dreamed he would become a competitive runner.

But, "what I would have envisioned for him," Weck said, "is to be able to do anything he set his mind to."

Personal bests

The Chadwicks still have the voice-mail message Coach Newton left on their phone in 2006, the fall of Connor's sophomore year.

"I just want to tell you that I just love that kid," Newton say in his gravelly voice. "He is just terrific. Every day he asks me, 'What can I do to get better?' ... He keeps me balanced, he just makes me feel good, and he's fun to be around."

The powerhouse York boys' cross-country team has won 26 state championships. And make no mistake, Newton, who has been coaching for more than 50 years, wants to win. But he's also out to change lives. In any given year, more than 200 boys run for York, and Newton makes a personal connection with each and every one of them. Each runner must shake Newton's hand before leaving after practice. He knows who he can tease, who needs a push, who needs a little TLC. He gives every boy a nickname.

Only the top seven runners on a team compete at the varsity level, and only the first five finishers score. So most runners will never make a point for the team.

"It's all personal best and camaraderie," said Russ Chadwick, Connor's father.

Starting out, his mother adds, Connor struggled with endurance and strength. "Mr. Newton really worked with him," she said. The coach also assigned a teammate to run with Connor.

Cross-country races are 3 miles, and the winding, looping courses can be confusing. Told to follow the guy in front of him at a race, Connor replied with characteristic spunk: "But what if I'm in front of him?"

Intensive therapy

Coach Newton demands that his runners show up every day and work hard. It's not the first huge commitment Connor and his family have had to make.

Serial casting is an alternative to surgery for muscles tightened by cerebral palsy. The treatment maintains the integrity of the muscle, which can be weakened by surgery, Weck said. But it requires getting a new cast every week for at least 12 weeks - a process Connor went though three times.

He also went through an intensive physical therapy program and wore braces night and day to keep his muscles from shortening. He continues to wear braces at night.

The running also helped, dramatically. "He developed strength and endurance and power, and was able to improve the range he had," Weck said.

Connor also does track in the spring at York. He holds several medals from the Special Olympics, including first place in the region for the 200-meter run and third place in the state. He has also run several charity 5Ks.

Next year, Connor will attend a post-high school transition program at York. IHSA rules prevent him from competing, but Newton has asked Connor to come to practices and mentor the younger runners.

Cross-country "is like a family," Connor says.

"I'm just so happy to have him on our team," Newton said. "He's what York is all about."

•To donate to Connor's team for the Children's Memorial Hospital Race for the Kids 5K Run Walk, visit heroesforlife.org/connor.

If you go

The Children's Memorial Hospital Race for the Kids 5K Run/Walk takes place at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 20, starting at Soldier Field.

Runners can register online at childrensmemorial.org/raceforthekids until noon on Tuesday, June 16. There is no race day registration. Registration is $35 for adults, free for children age 12 and younger.

To see Connor's Chadwick's fundraising page or donate to his team, visit heroesforlife.org/Connor.

Watch Connor: The award-winning documentary "The Long Green Line" was filmed in 2005, Connor's freshman year at York Community High School in Elmhurst. The film features Coach Joe Newton and the York Dukes as the team follows a rocky path to its 25th state championship. The movie was released to theaters in 2008 and is available on DVD. To see the trailer or learn more about the movie, go to longgreenlinemovie.com.