Houdeshell wheels to 3 victories

By Ryan Pleggenkuhle, Correspondent

MARION - Linn-Mar junior Jordan Houdeshell may be the fastest man on wheels in Iowa high school athletics. But it's his closest competitor who has given him the most help on his way to being the state leader in three track and field events.

Houdeshell placed first in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter wheelchair races in Tuesday night's Lion Relays at Linn-Mar High School. He was second in the wheelchair shot put. Jon Litzkow, a junior from Waterloo West, got some revenge by out-throwing Houdeshell by 5 inches.

But when it comes to competition between the two, it's much more about compassion than revenge.

Houdeshell clocked a personal best in the 100 en route to defeating Litzkow in each of the three track events. But afterward, all he wished was that Litzkow had a better chair to compete in.

“It feels pretty good to be the leader in three events,” Houdeshell said. “But I'd feel better if Jon had a better chair because the one he has doesn't fit him the best. Hopefully, by district he has his new chair in.”

Houdeshell and Litzkow are each other's closest competition. Off the track, the two are teammates in basketball, rugby, softball and volleyball with the Iowa Chariots in Cedar Falls.

Litzkow, who has been in wheelchair athletics for seven years, is the reason Houdeshell got involved two years ago.

“I have to thank Jon for the reason I play sports,” Houdeshell said. “He's the one who persuaded me to run cross country and track.”

Competing in four track and field events is taxing. What fuels these two to compete is simply the fact that they're able to go out and do it.

“A lot of people that are handicapped in wheelchairs don't know about this stuff,” said Houdeshell, in the chair because of a birth defect. “Usually if I see someone in a wheelchair, I ask them if they play a sport. I encourage them to get out and try it.”

“Just because you're sitting down doesn't mean you have to sit still,” Litzkow said.