Coming off of an extreme season for a dedicated athlete can be overpowering with one transition to another. For freshman Eva Houston, sports and band are the two outlining loves that she participates in at Westside.

At the age of two, Houston was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Houston has a very mild case that has only affected her legs, causing her to be in a wheelchair. Even after being diagnosed she has not let that stop her from participating and being involved throughout Westside and the community.

“Basketball definitely prepared me by giving endurance and being active. But the sport that actually pushed me toward track was softball. When I noticed that I was fast around the bases,” Houston said. “My coach at the last national softball tournament, entered me into a speed race, which is given to time athletes going around the bases, which I won. The little trophy that I got gave me the boost that I could do it, which also motivated me.“

When preparing for the transition of basketball to track, Houston and family sat down with girls track Head Coach Jon Preister. When Preister found out about Houston’s interest in track he was very excited for something new and for a sport that would welcome her right away. The whole coaching staff has been gaining an understanding of wheelchair racing, while trying to figure out all the components that are involved.

“With wheelchair racing, there are so many factors such as how the chair takes to the track with the gloves and being able to hit it properly preparing for the curve,” Preister said. “There are so many things that the athlete can’t control with the equipment they are using that could go wrong.”

After competing in the junior varsity race at Westside, Houston was filled with emotion, not only by the crowd, but more specifically how her team reacted while she was competing.

“It felt crazy, through trying to keep myself calm and remembering the things I need to know, especially at the curve. As well as coaches all throughout telling me to get in the zone, which helped me to stay calm,“ Houston said. “Other people on the team that I had never talked to me before actually showed they respected me not only as a person but as an athlete, which showed that they actually care.”

Houston and Preister have many goals set for the rest of the season, summer and the 2017 spring season.

“One of my goals later on in life is to do a marathon, so I want to do distance. I would like to try the mile over the summer, because as others are wearing out, I’m just getting started and in my zone,” Houston said.

As for the season, Houston will continue racing in the next upcoming junior varsity meets.

“Hopefully, we can get her [Houston] into some meets this summer. So that by spring of 2017, she will be able to qualify for the National Paralympics,” Preister said.

Houston has many words of encouragement for others in the generations to come.

“Never let your limitations get in the way, whether you’re having a bad day. You can still get out there and make it work without letting it stop you,” Houston said. “Stay confident in yourself, without getting inside of your head and becoming negative. Just stay positive.”