Kids cheer Schabort before he heads off to Rio
He may be a Paralympian with multiple awards, but at Johnson Elementary School, he’s known as “Sarah’s dad” and that is just fine with him.
Krige Schabort, local handcycling champion, leaves for Rio to compete in the 2016 Paralympics on Sept. 2. His triathlon will be Sept. 10. Johnson Elementary students held a pep rally for him at the school Wednesday.
“Here at the school, I am Sarah’s dad, not just Krige,” he said. “I love the idea that my child is such a part of this.”
Schabort is a frequent visitor to Johnson Elementary School, where his daughter Sarah is in first grade. His two sons, Simon and Daniel, formerly went to Johnson and now attend Model Middle.
“He brought his ESPY award to show us and we hope he brings the gold medal he wins, too,” said Pam Rutland, a Johnson teacher.
The students have been gearing up to cheer
Schabort on before he leaves, as they’ve spent the last two weeks paying close attention to how well the U.S.A. athletes do in the Olympics.
“We have been watching the Olympics and we’ve had a featured athlete every day,” Rutland said. “Krige was our athlete for Wednesday and it
just blew our students’ minds that he was actually here.”
The entire student body watched the clock, according to teacher Becky Dawson. “All day long, all you heard was ‘What time is it? How much longer?’” she said.
Schabort entered the gymnasium, filming everything on his iPhone.
“If I do win a medal, I will bring it back so everyone can see it and touch it,” he announced to the crowd.
Principal LaDonna Turrentine presented Schabort with his own Johnson Wildcats medal and a good luck card decorated with thumbprints from every student at the school. Then, she decided to make sure he had a real cheer to keep him motivated.
“I may regret this,” Turrentine announced to her students. “But I want all of you to give him a real Johnson Wildcats cheer.”
The cheering set ears ringing and the younger children put their fingers in their ears as Schabort laughed.
“I’ll remember that when I’m racing,” he said. “When I get in the flow, moments like this will come to me in flashes and make that arm or shoulder pain go away.”
The pep rally was a heartwarming moment for Schabort, he said.
“On the way here, I knew it was going to be exciting and a lot of energy,” he said. “I was tired when I woke up, but I realized I could absorb all that great energy and take it with me. Being here feels like family for me.”
The students were also enjoying Schabort’s pep rally.
“It is pretty awesome to
think that in all of America, we have an Olympian here in Rome,” said Elijah Marshall, a fifth-grader. “It’s been pretty cool to see America win so many medals and now we get to watch someone we know compete.”
Sarah Schabort was pleased with the event.
“The rally felt great,” she said. “I felt great that this was for my daddy.”
As she said good bye to Schabort before she left for the day, Rutland may have summed up the general feeling of the Johnson community.
“On Sept. 10, you will hear us all screaming and cheering you on from Rome,” she said.