Image: Ryan Wilcha and Harry Jos
By: Sophia Braida
Ryan Wilcha is a freshman at Wallenpaupack who recently joined the Unified Track and Field team, stepping into a sport that requires every athlete to compete in both a running and a field event. For Ryan, that expectation came with an immediate challenge.
Ryan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. As it has advanced, Ryan has become reliant on a wheelchair and lost much of his mobility. Still, his focus has remained on finding a way to compete alongside his teammates.
A similar challenge had already been addressed earlier in the year during Unified Bocce season. Coaches and students worked with Ryan to develop a motorized ramp that allowed him to control aim, angle, and release independently. The purpose was to give him as much ownership over his performance as possible. That same idea carried over into track and field.
This time, the solution came through collaboration with senior engineering students in Mr. Heckman’s CTE program. Together, they designed a launcher specifically for the mini javelin event, built to support Ryan without taking control from him.
Ryan operates the key elements of each throw, adjusting trajectory, air pressure, and the timing of the release. The launcher provides the physical force, but the decisions remain his.
“In his case, this meant finding a way to harness what he can do and assist with the things he can’t,” Coach Schkolenko explained.
The launcher was ready in time for the team’s first meet of the season on April 8th against Delaware Valley and Mid Valley. By the time Ryan’s turn came, conditions had become difficult. The meet was running late, and temperatures had dropped, but he stayed patient and focused. With the help of a teammate, Harry, who positioned the launcher and followed Ryan’s direction throughout the process, Ryan maintained full control of each launch.
When he competed, he delivered his best performance to date. His throw reached 3.96 meters, surpassing his previous personal best of 3.80 meters. He won his division and contributed five points to the team’s overall score. Delaware Valley finished first with 148 points, followed by Mid Valley with 134, while Wallenpaupack earned 121.
Unified sports are designed to bring athletes together, but Ryan’s experience reflects the work that goes into making that inclusion meaningful. Through collaboration with teammates, coaches, and engineering students, he is not only participating but actively shaping how he competes, with measurable progress already showing early in the season.
