First wheelchair participant in half-marathon for Discover Whitewater Series

WHITEWATER, Wis. — The Discover Whitewater Series had its first wheelchair participant for the half-marathon during the annual race on Sunday.

The race has existed for five years and has always had a wheelchair division, but this was the first time a wheelchair participant competed.

The wheelchair participant was part of a team of four from My Team Triumph.

My Team Triumph is a nonprofit organization that pairs able-bodied athletes with disabled athletes to participate in races.The organization is international and the Wisconsin chapter has participated in races around the state.

The wheelchair athlete is Emily Fideler, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student. She was joined by Angel Houtakker; his wife, Melissa; and race manager Kristen Wold.

The able-bodied athletes referred, to as angels, are there to support the wheelchair athlete, but members of My Team Triumph said the support goes both ways.

“I even had to cheer on my angels at one point,” Fideler said. “We help each other out.”

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