'Strong As Steel' Adaptive Track Team Seeks New Members

For one Crescent Township mother, the inspiration came last summer. 

In July, Darla Clayton's 8-year-old son, Trent, who has cerebral palsy, competed in the 2011 National Junior Disability Championships as a runner. 

Since Trent took up running, Clayton said she has watched her son flourish. At the championships, Trent competed as an independent athlete. 

"But he said he wanted to be on a team. We really couldn't find anything in the Pittsburgh area, so we tried to figure out a way to start one," Clayton said. 

Clayton and her family began the Strong As Steel team after searching the Pittsburgh area for an adaptive track and field team where her son could train with other young athletes.

Clayton hopes to encourage other area athletes with disabilities, ages 5 to 21, to train together and perhaps compete in the 2012 disability championships in Arizona. 

Clayton said the team is for people with physical disabilities. While it's not her intention to exclude anyone, Clayton said she encourages youngsters who are eligible to participate in the well-established Special Olympics program of Allegheny County because she said the program has more resources and could provide athletes with a better experience. 

"We are aiming to fill a niche for kids with physical disabilities, wheelchair, ambulatory or visually impaired athletes who currently don't have access to track and field team competition in our area," Clayton said.

She said the Strong As Steel team has only a handful of members and is seeking coaches and volunteers who have experience working with disabled athletes. Athletes can compete in a numerous events geared toward their interests and abilities, she said. 

"I think at this point for a lot of our kids, it's just to get out there and show them they can do this," Clayton said. "I think that would be incredible." 

Track and field has proven to be a confidence-booster for Clayton's son. 

"He runs," Clayton said. "He's in third grade, and they adapt things for him. The gym teacher was having the kids run 800 meters and told him he only had to run 400. He's a sprinter, but he ran the full 800 meters."

Those interested in participating, as an athlete or volunteer, can visit the team's Web site for more information.

"He really feels like he can do more," said Clayton. "It would be wonderful to get a couple more kids involved."