Austin’s Schwab fights her way back to run in her final home meet
Published 10:29 pm Tuesday, October 10, 2017
- Austin’s Paiton Schwab runs in the pack during the Austin Invite Tuesday afternoon at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get up.
Nobody understands that statement quite like Austin senior Paiton Schwab, who has fallen more times than she can count over the past year. Schwab, who was diagnosed with a rare medical condition that causes her legs to go numb while running last spring, underwent surgery seven weeks ago and she was told she wouldn’t be able to compete in any races this season for the Packer girls cross country team.
But Schwab wasn’t about to call it quits just yet, and as she laid with numb legs on the pavement at Meadow Greens Golf Course after running for three miles in the cold and rain in her final home meet Tuesday, Schwab had a lot to look back on.
Austin’s Paiton Schwab runs to the finish during the Austin Invite Tuesday afternoon at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Schwab, who finished with a time of 26:10.9 for the Austin JV team, wasn’t complaining about the pain or her finish. She was reflecting on all of the work it took for her to run in her last home meet as a senior. When she finally recovered enough to stand up after the race, Schwab broke out a smile.
“It was very hard, but was worth it. It means so much to be back running,” Schwab said. “This meet and the meet before have probably been the two most memorable and important races for me, just knowing what it took for me to come back. It was sad [during the race]. I started running in sixth grade and now it’s finally over. I was glad I was able to run my last time here.”
Unfortunately for Schwab, she’s grown accustomed to overcoming setbacks in her running career. After taking 17th place in the 1600-meter run in the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet as an eighth-grader in the spring of 2014, Schwab ran in Minnesota Class AA State Cross Country Meet with the Packers as a freshman in the fall of 2014.
Schwab began to deal with knee problems in the spring of 2015. She battled pain for much of the next three years and last year, when her leg condition was diagnosed, she fell after the majority of her races.
“It was very tough mentally, but finishing [races] meant so much to me, no matter what my time is,” Schwab said. “It’s doing what I love that means the most to me.”
Austin head coach Tony Einertson said that Schwab has been a strong supporter of the Packer girls program, regardless of whether or not she’s been able to run with the team. She has served as a captain and a strong motivator for her teammates.
“She’s had to go through a lot. She’s a tough kid and it’s hard on all of us; we know where she was five years ago,” Einertson said. “For her to come back like she has seven weeks after surgery is quite an accomplishment. She guts it through. She’s a fighter.”
Austin’s Abby Lewis approaches the finish during the Austin Invite Tuesday afternoon at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin junior Abby Lewis, who has run at the Class AA state cross country three straight years, has always been close to Schwab. Lewis was glad to see her friend get a chance to run in a home meet one last time.
“It’s been awesome watching [Paiton] improve and come back from her surgery so strong,” Lewis said. “I know a lot of people where if they had surgery, that would be the end of it. For her it’s a different story. She’s really special. Just watching her out there makes me happy.”
Schwab may need a second surgery on her other leg, but she’s still hoping she can play basketball for the Packers in the winter and run track and field in the spring. While she’s had more than her fair share of bad luck over the past four years, Schwab has stayed driven and inspired through the memory of her older sister Lauren, who passed away in 2013.
“I have a love for the sport and every time I run, I run for my sister. I know that she’d be proud of me. She’s my guardian angel and before I run I always say I’m dong it for her,” Schwab said. “I’m thankful for my coaches, and my teammates and friends for helping me through and keeping me positive through it all.”
Austin’s Mitchell Mayer runs through the rain during the Austin Invite Tuesday afternoon at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BOYS RESULTS
Team standings: 1. Winona 35; 2. Austin 53; 3. Albert Lea 56; 4. Lake City 103; 5. Stewartville 160; 6. Chatfield 165; 7. GMLOS 236;
Austin: Henry Hinchcliffe (third, 17:11.9); Brockdon Lawhead (fifth, 17:19.1); Mitchell Mayer (ninth, 17:40.1); Raymond Lucero (13th, 17:49.6); Jackson Marsh (23rd, 18:21.5)
Pacelli: Jayden Lewis (37th, 19:15.9); Luke Weaver (62nd, 20:00.9)
GMLOS: Jackson Hale (53rd, 19:55.7); Thomas Shaw (71st, 20:16.1); Andrew Arndorfer (78th, 20:41.1); Ethan Gilbert (79th, 20:55.6)
Austin’s Hinchcliffe strives toward the finish during the Tuesday afternoon at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
GIRLS RESULTS
Team standings: 1. Stewartville 40; 2. Lake City 65; 3. Winona 82; 4. Austin 108; 5. Albert Lea 123; 6. Pacelli 146; 7. Chatfield 148; 8. GMLOS 227;
Austin: Abby Lewis (fifth, 19:51.9); Nadia Vaughn (10th, 20:37.8); Ruby Kvam (42nd, 23:47.7); Micha Weber (48th, 24:05.4); Eleanor Hinchcliffe (52nd, 24:22.6)
Pacelli: Kayla Christopherson (first, 19:16.2); Rory Bickler (11th, 20:38.9); Kendahl Lewis (49th, 24:10.6); Abby Christopherson (50th, 24:15.6)
GMLOS: Sydney Alstat (34th, 22:37.5); Sydnie Bissen (55th, 24:33.9); Madison Merten (66th, 25:19.9); Hope Dion (79th, 27:27.2)
Austin’s Raymond Lucero nears the finish during the Austin Invite Tuesday afternoon at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com