Jarmuz runs again

Grafton’s Austin Jarmuz, a senior at University School of Milwaukee, had his eyes on a high finish at the state cross country meet.

Then he injured his Achilles tendon.

He only began racing a few weeks ago. He helped his team qualify, and Jarmuz finished 21st in the Division 2 state meet on Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids, finishing the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 32.2 seconds. State was his third race back.

“My doctor, friends, and many people around me weren’t sure I would make it back this season, but I was determined to prove them wrong,” he said.

“I still remember the day I called my coach to tell him about my injury. I told him my one goal was to have the opportunity to put that jersey on one last time and race alongside my teammates one more time. Being able to do that made everything worth it.”

Jarmuz learned to patiently take it one step at a time to come back. He made it.

His past state finishes were 10th, 12th, and 23rd. He said he plans to run at college next year, but he’s not sure where yet.