With Heart and Wheels: Jay Coleman’s Journey to the Finish Line

Jay Coleman, who recently graduated from East, wrapped up their high school track and field season in an unforgettable way, earning four medals at the State Meet, including two state titles in the Girls Wheelchair Division.

Coleman brought home first place in the 100-meter dash and the 1600-meter, took second in the 800, and placed fifth in shot put—even though they had zero shot put practice and didn’t have a shot put chair. 

“I was honestly a little frustrated at first,” they admitted. “But then I reminded myself—I just did something really cool, even without all the resources.”

Initially, Coleman was a distance runner, competing in both cross-country and track. But over time, their chronic pain and fatigue from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) made running too difficult to keep up. They had already been playing wheelchair basketball when some of their teammates and friends encouraged them to give wheelchair track a try.

 “At first, I wasn’t sure if I ‘qualified’ enough to be part of it,” Coleman shared. “But when I saw a friend with the same condition who was able to compete, I decided to try it out—and I’m so glad I did. It’s been such a meaningful experience.”

The season came with its own set of challenges. Madison East doesn’t have a track, which made practicing, especially in a racing wheelchair, tough. Coleman often had to get creative, lifting weights, pushing through the neighborhood bike paths, and playing basketball to stay in shape. Most weeks, they only got one or two practices in their racing chair. But when they were in their chair, they made it count. Their favorite event? 

“The 800,” they said. “It’s short enough to push hard but still has that endurance element I love.” 

That said, they’re most proud of their finish in the 100-meter dash—a race they weren’t expecting to win.

 “I was seeded third and knew the other girls were fast,” Coleman said. “Crossing that finish line first was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Coleman is headed to Carleton College in the fall, where they plan to major in biology and hope to pursue a career in the healthcare field. While continuing track and field at the college level isn’t always straightforward for wheelchair athletes, Coleman hopes to find a way to stay involved—and to advocate for more inclusion and recognition for athletes with less visible or less understood disabilities like EDS.

 “I tried to get classified for the Paralympics, but my condition isn’t currently considered qualifying, even though it affects so much of my daily life,” they explained. “It’s really frustrating, especially knowing how many kids could benefit from having a space to compete.”

Coleman also shared how grateful they are to Paul’s Party, a Wisconsin nonprofit that helps provide adaptive sports equipment to kids and teens. 

“Track chairs can cost around $8,000,” Coleman said. “Without Paul’s Party, most of us simply wouldn’t be able to participate.”

They hope to help make things better for the athletes coming up behind them. By sharing their own experiences and speaking out, they aim to inspire others and bring about positive change. For Coleman, it’s not just about their own journey; they want to make sure that every athlete who comes after them has a chance to succeed and make a difference in their communities.

Coleman’s story is a reflection of MMSD’s Strategic Framework in action, emphasizing the need for every student to have opportunities, support for their aspirations and room to flourish.