For most middle schoolers, cross-country is a challenging sport that demands endurance and mental toughness. For Zoie Allison, it’s even more than that.
Zoie, an eighth grader at Sweet Home Junior High, decided to run cross-country this season after previously competing on the track team. Despite having a vision impairment that requires special accommodations, Zoie wasn’t going to let her disability hold her back.
“She begged me to do cross-country in the first place,” said Zoie’s mother, Zuri Allison. “We were going to tell her no. Scott [Swanson] told us he had it all figured out. It’s pretty much all him that encouraged it.”
Swanson, the cross-country coach, reached out to Zuri after learning about Zoie’s interest, determined to make it work.
“I understand you’re not comfortable with Zoie doing cross-country, but I have found a way to make it work for her if you would be willing to let her do it,” Zuri recalled Swanson saying.
Zuri was reassured. “I was like, ‘If you have found a way, then that’s perfect,’” she said.
Zoie’s life skills teacher, Ali Ellis, has been inspired by Zoie’s determination. Ellis has been using her as an example in lessons on overcoming obstacles.
“She should be walking around with a cane—she doesn’t. Running on uneven surfaces, that’s like nearly unheard of,” Ellis said. “If it wasn’t for the accommodations they’re making for her, then it wouldn’t be possible. Other than her vision impairment, she’s just like all the other kids.”
Those accommodations include having a guide during practice and races. Volunteer coach Lindsay Janzer, who has previous experience working with visually impaired students, serves as Zoie’s guide.
“She loves it,” Janzer said. “I’ve only run one race with her because I wasn’t able to be there at the last meet, but she loves it. It’s an obvious joy when she’s running the races.”
Janzer believes Zoie’s tenacity is what sets her apart.
“She’s incredibly tenacious. She’s willing to give everything to get better, and she’s obviously getting a lot better because she’s willing to put in the work,” Janzer said. “I think if she sticks with cross-country through high school, she’s going to have a good chance at becoming a state-caliber athlete.”
Zoie’s journey to cross-country wasn’t easy. According to Zuri, Zoie initially struggled with the idea that she might not be able to do it.
“She took that pretty hard,” Zuri said. “It was pretty hard for her to accept the fact that she couldn’t do it.”
But thanks to Swanson’s persistence and the support from the team, Zoie is now thriving. She is showing the same resilience in cross-country that she exhibited in track.
“It’s been really exciting to see Zoie not only decide to run cross-country, but to be successful,” Swanson said. “She has the no-quit attitude that is key to this sport, and nothing has really fazed her: tough workouts, learning to run on rough terrain with a guide, and having the commitment necessary to do well.”
Swanson believes Zoie is already making a significant contribution to the team and sees a bright future ahead.
“I think Zoie is already showing that she will be an important contributor to the success of Sweet Home’s rising program,” he said.