Student to compete in Oregon

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. -- High school student Jill Moore skis, rides horses, water skis and scuba dives. She’s also on pace to get scholarship offers in track and basketball. And she does it from a wheelchair.

The sophomore from Northwest Cabarrus High will compete this Thursday as part of the Olympic Trials program in Eugene, Ore. Right before America’s best long jumpers and high jumpers battle for Olympic berths, Jill will race in the 800 meters against the country’s best wheelchair athletes.

She earned that spot, in part, by scoring points for her able-bodied track team this spring. She’s the first wheelchair athlete in the state to pull off that feat.

And she did it all in a chair that’s really a hand-me-down. She’s saving her money to buy a custom chair that all the top athletes have. She’s gotten help worth a few hundred dollars from a fund raiser, but she has about $4,000 to go.

Jill smiles when she talks about finally having her "own" chair. She’s smart and bright and well spoken. And she has wisdom well beyond her years.

She speaks frankly about breaking records and the pride she takes in finally being able to share a “team experience” with her able-bodied high school teammates.

We’ll keep you updated on Jill’s progress in Oregon and throughout her summer. She’s off to water skiing camp next.