Douglass High School athlete stays resilient, makes history

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Before the 2021 track and field season, a Frederick Douglass High School athlete had never won a district, a sectional, or appeared at state. However, that all changed with Brady Whelihan.

The Douglass graduate is the first athlete in school history to capture a district and sectional championship and to appear at state.

“I really don’t realize how much I really work for this moment," Brady said.

The moment did not come easily though as he had to undergo two major surgeries over the course of two years. In 2018, Brady had brain surgery to help with uncontrollable movements that came as a result of his Tourette's.

“I mean, I got scared at first, of course, it’s brain surgery, but I mean, you get through it," he said.

Then, in 2019, he also underwent spinal surgery. According to his dad, Brady had gone years with a severe curve in his spine.

“He never got to expereince anything in ten years…nothing. Bits and pieces here like a jigsaw puzzle," Tom Whelihan, Brady's father, said.

Now, after having time to recover, Tom said that Brady's back is almost complete straightened out. The track and field star had to relearn how to walk and run with his new back, however, he got past that quickly and moved on to throwing.

“It helps me push out my inner anger on how bad my life was," Brady said.

Although the graduated senior did not place in the state track and field meet, the future is still very bright.

“I really just hope to inspire the younger kids and tell them that whatever they are going through it can change," Brady said.