DAVENPORT, Iowa — Davenport Central Senior Tayveona Thomas-Everett has always loved running. Her mother, Markeeta Thomas, still remembers the first time she got into a race.
"She started running the junior Bix when she was one years old," Markeeta said.
Like most kids, Tayveona was enjoying life, but that all changed when she turned eight years old.
"She had a heart attack when she was eight, completely unexpected, don't really know the cause of it. She was in ICU for a month up in Iowa City," Markeeta said.
Because of that heart attack, Tayveona is still facing challenges today.
"She is visually impaired, she's mentally delayed," Markeeta said.
But even so, Tayveona is back doing what she loves—running. "I like the people cheering for me," Tayveona said.
Until the 2024 season, Tayveona had to run and compete against all the other athletes, but now the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has a new "ambulatory" category for her to compete in.
"That means a lot because it shows acceptance, and that's something that she has struggled with," Markeeta said.
And you'll never see Tayveona holding back when she's on the track.
"When it all comes down to it, when we get to running, she does what she knows to do, and she does a good job," Coach Karrie Raue said.
"It's extremely important to just continue to see her thrive every day and just be the happy, bubbly child that I know," Markeeta said.
Tayveona is even inspiring her other teammates.
"It's great. Like it gives people motivation, because you see her trying so hard being at practice, practicing every day still trying, it gives you that motivation. If she can do it, anyone can do it," Teammate Khaliah Knox said.
"I like making friends with the girls," Tayveona said.
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