Track and Field Teams Partner with Team Impact

DEFIANCE, OHIO - On Monday, March 12, the Defiance College men's and women's track and field teams welcomed 10-year-old Trey Wittenmyer to the team through its Team Impact "Signing Day" ceremony held at the Karl H. Weaner Center. 

Wittenmyer signed a letter of intent to join the Yellow Jackets track and field team for the 2018 outdoor season and will attend Defiance practices, games, events and more. He was joined by head coach Ken Ciolek and the rest of the DC track and field team, as well as his family.

The Defiance resident was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015 and continues to inspire those around him with his strength and unbreakable spirit. 

"We are extremely excited to partner with Team Impact, and welcome Trey Wittenmyer to our track & field family," said head coach Ken Ciolek. "Trey is a very courageous young man who exemplifies the meaning of strength. Our team is extremely excited to not only welcome him to our team, but to develop a life long friendship, and support system that will continue to endure for years to come."

Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, MA that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,400 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 47 states, reaching over 35,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.