A high school cross-country athlete who uses a wheelchair is competing in the state meet.
Leavitt Area High School sophomore Jonathan Schomaker will start off competing alongside runners before veering onto a modified course that's aimed at ensuring safety for all participants.
He advanced to the state meet scheduled for Saturday by completing the regional event at the same venue in Cumberland.
Last year, the Maine Principal's Association rejected his petition to participate in the state meet, but the MPA relented this year and reached a compromise to allow him to compete.
Schomaker has cerebellar hypoplasia, which forces him to use a wheelchair during races. He has competed alongside runners this season and has even recorded a 7-minute mile. Schomaker said after the regional meet that he's opening the door for other wheelchair racers.