A runner's pain and promise at the Drake Relays

Norwalk's Jacey Hutson made a pact with his grandmother as she was dying

Drake Relays athletes usually make their interviews efficient and brief after races. But Norwalk’s Jacey Hutson let the words flow Friday.

Hutson, a senior, opened up about his promise to his grandmother to become one of Iowa’s best runners and to go to on compete in college. She died April 1.

Norwalk’s Jacey Hutson smiled after running in the Drake Relays Friday. The happy memories of his grandmother have inspired him. (Photo by John Naughton.)

This story was originally published in the Indianola Independent Advocate, but deserves retelling. Thanks to Amy Duncan, publisher, for allowing me to share this.

The website: indianola-ia.com

Hutson and I spoke for about 15 minutes Friday. I asked him if he was comfortable about sharing such a personal story. He was and here it is:

Jacey Hutson ran with pain and a promise Friday.

The Norwalk senior raced to top 10 finishes in the finals of the 400 meters and the 1,600-meter medley relay at the Drake Relays – two of the four races he qualified for at the state’s most famous meet.

The pain came from his heavily wrapped right ankle. He severely sprained it in a meet March 28, feeling it bend unnaturally to the track, and missed more than two weeks of the season.

It still hurts.

But that’s where the promise comes in. His grandmother, Linda Hutson of Des Moines, died April 1. Grandson and grandmother made a pact as she lay in her hospital bed. In their last conversation together, several days before she passed, Jacey dedicated his season to her. He would become one of the state’s best runners and earn a college scholarship.

“I was thinking, every single race, I’m running for her,” Hutson said after the 400.

One month ago, Jacey ran on two healthy legs. His grandmother was his biggest fan. So much has changed.

Hutson lined up in the 100-meter dash, pushed out of the starting blocks and ran as fast as he could at a meet at Waukee Northwest. With 20 meters left, he heard his ankle pop as it bent, touching the surface of the track.

He finished the 100 race in 11.51 second, took one step off the track and collapsed in pain. He feared the injury would end his career.

“I was about to cry, because I thought it was the end of my season,” Hutson said. “ ‘Am I out for the season?’ “

Hutson lied to his coach when asked if he was able to continue running that day. He ran two races, including a first-place finish in the 200 (23.29 seconds).

Yes, Hutson said, his coach was furious when the lie was discovered.

“He was angry with me,” Hutson said. “But he understood that’s what I did.”

This is called a medial ankle sprain. Since that day, Hutson has researched online medical sources to learn more about the injury and his hopes overcome it.

Hutson’s next meet wasn’t until April 15. He rehabbed his injury with band exercises and ankle drills, giving credit to Norwalk certified athletic trainer Peter Sand to keep him motivated and on the mend.