PACIFIC BEACH – Mission Bay High senior Chris Adamson recently placed first in the 100m sprint and the shot put at the Nike Outdoor National Invitational track meet sanctioned by the United States of America Track and Field Association.
Adamson’s success at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Ore., on June 20-21, is part of his ongoing drive and determination to excel in track and field as a blind runner. With David Cervantes, his official guide runner, Adamson has been a part of the Mission Bay High track and field team since ninth grade.
“Chris’s performance in Eugene was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Danny Perez, Mission Bay track and field coach.
“As a T11 (totally blind) athlete, winning the 100m ambulatory division at the Nike Outdoor Nationals speaks volumes about his work ethic, mental toughness, and determination. To set a U20 national record is impressive — and it’s only the beginning.
“Chris has shown the country what we’ve always known: He’s elite.”
Adamson earned the All-American designation for winning his event at the Nike Outdoor Nationals.
“That designation is awarded to athletes who place in the top six of their division,” Perez said. Since ambulatory events are integrated into the meet, champions in those divisions also earn the All-American title.
“It’s a prestigious honor and a reflection of Chris’s outstanding achievement. David, his guide runner, now also carries the same All-American distinction as well.”
Adamson’s work ethic, mental toughness, and determination have been part of his make-up since he was young, says his mom, Noelle Adamson.
“Chris has shown extraordinary self-determination and motivation from the very beginning of his life,” Noelle Adamson said. “Chris has Alström Syndrome, and as a baby, he survived serious medical challenges. From that point forward, his resilience has been evident in everything he does.
“One early example of his motivation came in second grade when our family faced the challenge of the inevitable loss of his sight. That summer, knowing he needed to prepare for total blindness, Chris independently learned Braille at the Braille Institute.
“By the time he returned for third grade, he was already fully proficient in contracted Unified English Braille — a skill that typically takes at least two years to master.”
His determination to keep up with his peers and not fall behind academically drove him to achieve something remarkable in such a short time. Understanding that middle school and later high school would require learning and communicating in increasingly complex subject matter, Adamson set out to learn Nemeth Braille in sixth grade at PB Middle School.
Nemeth Braille, invented by Abraham Nemeth in 1952, is a more complex and specialized style of Braille used for teaching science and mathematics. In sixth grade, Adamson started learning computer Braille.
Adamson met Cervantes at the beginning of sixth grade at PB Middle. The two have been a tight team ever since.
“It took a while to develop trust and work out the communication between us,” Adamson said. “Now it’s all good.”
What were the two biggest challenges for Adamson in high school? Making sure that the text material needed for class is ordered early, and the description of on-screen visual imagery.
“For example, if I am assigned a novel like ‘Great Expectations,’ it needs to be sent to the VI (Visually Impaired) department to be in Braille for me before classroom use,” Adamson said. “I always need the material in Braille as early as possible so I don’t fall behind.”
Regarding the challenge of descriptive imagery, Cervantes said: “So much of instruction comes through a screen. If a film or video segment is not available with audio assist, I am constantly trying to describe the on-screen images as precisely as I can, with as much detail as possible. It is a real challenge. I need to be accurate as well as concise.”
In addition to assisting Adamson five days a week at school and at Saturday track meets, Cervantes has pursued a science degree, graduating this May with a BA in physics from San Diego State University.
Cervantes is pleased that his assignment with Adamson is now in its sixth year. “Continuity with the student/aide match has benefits for both parties,” he said. “It allows them to build a stronger support and to better understand each other’s needs and preferences. This will lead to improved academic and personal outcomes for the student, as well as greater job satisfaction for the aide. Also, I have become close with Chris’s family.”
Why did Adamson decide to try track three years ago as a freshman? At the beginning of ninth grade, Adamson asked Cervantes if he had participated in sports in high school. Cervantes remembers casually mentioning that he ran track in high school.
In January 2023, Adamson asked Cervantes if he would go out for track as a guide runner. Cervantes remembers saying he was not in shape, and Adamson replying, “Well, neither am I.”
Cervantes started watching YouTube videos of blind athletes for tips and suggestions on how to be a guide runner.
“Running tethered to another person involves a great deal of trust,” Adamson said. “We are in constant communication so that I stay in my lane, so that I cross the finish line ahead of David, and that I am relaxed enough to run at my top pace.
“The 200m distance is more difficult for me. Not only is it longer, but it also curves. David needs to communicate the curves to me to keep me in my lane,” Adamson said.
In tenth grade, in addition to the 100 and 200m events, Adamson added the shotput.
Adamson’s best throw during the 2024 season was 16 feet 6 inches long. His first-place throw was 17 feet 5 inches long at the Nike Outdoor Invitational. His personal best throw of 20 feet long was at the CIF State Meet in May.
Adamson starts his senior year at Mission Bay High in August, and he may add a fourth event, the long jump. This would require Cervantes to develop the skills of a “guide caller.”
“We love track and field. It has become such a joyful and meaningful part of our lives,” Noelle Adamson said. “We’ve fully embraced the sport and enjoy traveling as a family to support Chris at his meets.
“What’s been especially moving is how the track community, particularly his coach Danny Perez, has fought to make sure both Chris and his guide runner, David, have opportunities to compete at major events. There have been many logistical hurdles and advocacy moments to make sure Chris could participate fully and safely,” Noelle Adamson said.
“But with the support of his school, the principal, coach, and the community, Chris and David forged ahead. Today, their partnership has led them to hold the national under-20 title for the 100-meter dash — an incredible milestone we’re all so proud of.”
What opportunities could open after Adamson’s success at the Nike Outdoor Nationals?
“Chris’s performance opens several doors,” Perez said. “He now has visibility at the national level and is eligible for selection to more sanctioned para-athletic events through USATF and possibly even the U.S. Paralympic pipeline.
“We are exploring opportunities for him to compete in events like the Desert Challenge Games, Para Grand Prix events, and national trials next year. His Nike Outdoor performance gives him credibility and momentum.”
When asked about the Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028, Perez said: “For Paralympic athletes, the road to the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles begins now. Chris has the talent and drive, and if he continues to train, compete, and gain experience at higher-level para-sanctioned events, he can realistically contend for a spot on Team USA in 2028.
“We’ll be building a pathway over the next few years with this goal in mind.”
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