Fort Couch Middle School welcomes first adaptive track athlete

Holden’s first track meet was against Bethel Park and Keystone Oaks middle schools on March 25, 2025 at Bethel Park High School.

The Fort Couch Middle School track team welcomed its first adaptive athlete to the team this season. Eighth grader Holden Schwamberger competed in his first middle school track meet on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Bethel Park High School.

“We are very excited to have our first ever middle school adaptive track athlete competing at a meet,” Gordon Mathews, assistant principal, said. “According to all of our research, he may be the first ever in a Pennsylvania middle school to compete, at least in western Pennsylvania.”

Holden, who uses a racing wheelchair, is competing in the 200 meter and the 100 meter events.

“There are set state standards for middle school athletes in wheelchairs, so Holden will be trying to beat those standards at the meets,” said Jennifer Cramer, Fort Couch teacher and assistant athletic coordinator. “We are not anticipating that he will get to race against anyone this year, but hopeful that other adaptive athletes will have the courage that Holden has to try something new.”

Acquiring the racing wheelchair was made possible through Rise Again, a nonprofit organization that helps establish adaptive track and field programs in middle and high schools across Pennsylvania. The organization was founded by the Brown family, whose son Alex was one of the first high school adaptive track athletes in Pennsylvania. A 2024 graduate of North Catholic High School, Alex is now a member of the University of Alabama Para Track & Field Team.

In addition to track, Holden plays on the Mighty Penguins sled hockey team and Steel City Swish junior wheelchair basketball team. Adjusting to the racing wheelchair has been challenging, as its positioning differs from a basketball wheelchair or a sled for hockey. However, his biggest challenge has been overcoming nerves.

“The hardest thing about learning to race is being the first one to do it at Fort Couch,” Holden said. “You have to be brave to be able to compete by yourself.”

Spring track is popular among Fort Couch Middle School students. Approximately 125 seventh and eighth graders participate, representing nearly 20% of the student body.

“Holden is a very active eighth grade student at Fort Couch, so trying track was a natural fit,” Ms. Cramer said. “Sports at Fort Couch are a great way for every kid to be connected to the school. We don’t cut anyone, and offer intramural options for kids that are less competitive in many sports.”

For Holden’s parents, Beth Anne and Chris Schwamberger, watching their son participate in a school sport has been a rewarding experience.

“He’s able to practice nearly every day and compete much more often, versus his adaptive sports where he has to drive an hour just to get to practice once or twice a week and travel across state lines just to compete,” Mrs. Schwamberger said. “We love watching him compete at all his sports, but the opportunity to be with his school friends is really special.”

Athletics and activities offer an opportunity to build and nurture connections between and among students, teachers and the greater school community.

“Kids in middle school need to feel connected to someone so by offering different sports programs they have a chance to meet other kids and connect with them on a different level. Kids also get a chance to connect with an adult, often a teacher, in a different way,” Ms. Cramer said. “This is also true for our adaptive kids, and track is the only middle school sport we offer that can include adaptive athletes alongside able-bodied athletes.

The Schwambergers have been touched by the support Holden has received.

“From coaches to teachers and staff members and teammates, it has taken a lot of preparation and planning and extra learning for Holden to be included in track this year, and everyone has been so excited to learn and help however they can,” Mrs. Schwamberger said. “This is why we love Upper St. Clair so much – our kid has been welcomed and supported since day one, and it means so much to us and to Holden.”