This year’s 2019 UH Comeback Athlete of the Year Award goes to James Hayes, from Nordonia High School.
Last year, James suffered a stroke during a cross country meet hosted by Solon High School. Due to a parents quick response, James was rushed to University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, where it was determined he had a brain bleed and was immediately transferred to UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s hospital, where had surgery. James lost his ability to walk and could not attend class again with his peers. James endured weeks of physical therapy and strength training. A nomination that was submitted noted, “A reflection of the character and strength of the Nordonia Athletic Department, James’s coach, Mike Martin, spent many nights with James as he recovered, often talking over corned beef sandwiches Coach Martin picked up at Slyman’s on his way to visit.”
By the winter of 2019 James worked his way back to attending classes at Nordonia High School and had resumed running again. His coaches admitted that was a difficult time not knowing if he would ever compete or run again. After extensive therapy James was gradually able to walk without support and gradually got movement in his right arm. It was James’s hard work and dedication to his therapy that enabled him to regain movement in those areas.
James persevered through this tough time physically and mentally. On, Saturday March 30th 2019, during high winds and rain, James competed in the Bill Dodd Invitational during in his first track meet back since his stroke. Coaches from other schools that knew his story where amazed that he was competing at a high level. The head coach at Solon High School commented that: James’s grit, fortitude, and faith are models for the Northeast Ohio track community and high school athletes across the country.”
Through all this James has kept his studies at a high level, he has a 3.986 accumulative grade point average. He is a member of the National Honors Society and an Eagle Scout.
