Southland athletes whip adversity, competition
Celebrated in basketball championship tournaments
Lincoln-Way Central senior Harmonee Ruetes’ career goal is to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Wheelchair basketball may help her achieve that goal.
Ruetes was one of 177 athletes rostered on 16 teams that participated in the North American Wheelchair Basketball League Adult Championships hosted last weekend by the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association at the former Lincoln-Way North High School in Frankfort.
Her team, the Panthers, took first place in the Tier 2 level in the tournament, which finished up on Sunday.
Ruetes, who plays with various different teams in the area, earned a full-ride scholarship at the University of Texas-Arlington, to be a part of the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team.
“Wheelchair basketball definitely has helped me get to that point where I can go to college and pursue what I want to pursue,”
Ruetes said. “I’m glad I found wheelchair basketball — it’s the best sport on Earth. I’m as positive and confident as ever.”
For the record, Ruetes can walk. However, the Mokena resident was diagnosed with a lower leg disability when she was 10.
She was a bundle of energy playing basketball, soccer and softball but developed leg pain that was worsening as time wore on.
“I have short Achilles tendons,” she said. “I have chronic pain. I’m able to walk but not run. It’s dangerous for me to play able-body sports.”
Luckily for Ruetes, there was someone in the family who could help her get through the disappointing times of not being able to play the sports she loved.
Her uncle, Keith Wallace, was the LWSRA superintendent of recreation at the time.
“I’ve known her when she was born and when I first heard her diagnosis, it was bittersweet,” said Wallace, who is now the LWSRA executive director. “I felt bad but my ears perked up and I knew I could help her.” It was a hard sell at first.
“I was leery of wheelchair basketball with all of the prejudices about being disabled and being in a wheelchair,” Ruetes said. “I was also sad I wasn’t going to be able to play the sports I love. But after that first practice, everything