When Calvary Christian seniors Ryan Vilas and Jon Keller lined up at their respective starting points at the CIF State Cross Country Championships in Fresno last weekend, the teammates began the race from different spots for the first time in a long time.
But sure enough, as he had all season, Ryan made his way through the crowd after the gun popped so he and his teammate could run together.
“That just captures the image of who they are,” said Calvary Christian coach GW Dameron. “They're the best of friends; they've been running together since freshman year.”
Ryan has Asperger syndrome, a mild form of autism. He was diagnosed at 12 and has been home-schooled through Tri-City Christian and then Calvary Christian.
But Ryan's parents refused to pull their son away from social activity and he was linked up with running coach Dameron. Ryan's mother, Ingrid, said that when her son began to run, things changed – his schooling came along and he became more open. He has excelled in cross country, winning the San Diego Section Division V title this season and placing 15th in the state competition. It wasn't always that easy.
“When I first met Ryan, he couldn't even run a mile,” Jon said. “He's definitely come a long way.”
Dameron agrees. He recalled Ryan's first practice, when he was unable to complete even a quarter-mile.
“To be where he is now is an absolute miracle,” he said. “Just to see him make all this progress is amazing. He wasn't always like that.”
Despite his early struggles, Ryan's teammates developed a respect for his talent – especially Jon.
“(Ryan) has a black-and-white outlook on life, but he knows running,” Jon said. “He can almost predict where we'll finish. I have a tendency to go out harder, but he's more consistent with his miles.”
Dameron believes Ryan has come to look at his teammate like a brother.
“Ryan looks up to Jon; he's kind of his center during the race,” the coach said.
After the race in Fresno, and despite a 15th-place finish and personal best time that earned him second team All-State honors, Ryan was upset over his placement.
“I just felt that I didn't have enough energy today,” he said. “The elite pack had a lot more than we though they did.”
Jon, who finished 24th, took the outcome a little better.
“I felt strong in the race. I maybe came out a bit too strong,” he said. “There were basically 35 guys gunning for the top 10 spots. It was basically a give or take who was having a better day.”
When asked what its like having a teammate like Jon, Ryan, a youth of few words, said, “It feels nice having a teammate (like him). If you feel sad and lonely, it's nice to have someone to run with.”
The two will continue to run together during track season before each heads his own way to college.
After the race, Jon reflected on his years running with Ryan.
“Ryan certainly is interesting, but he's awesome. There are still some days where I have to tell him to shake it off,” Jon said. “But he's kinder than he used to be.
“He's become more social with girls as well,” he added.
As much as the boys and their coach insist they're the best of friends, cross country is still an individual and competitive sport. Dameron said the boys have found a balance.
“Ryan looks to Jon as a brother. They're together day in and day out,” Dameron said. “When the gun goes off, they're competitors. But when they cross the finish line, they're brothers.”
Emily Werchadlo: (760) 752-6758;
emily.werchadlo@tlnews.net
