OAKVILLE, Mo. — Coaching is Vincent Bingham's lifeblood, telling 5 On Your Side he regards each of the hundreds of athletes he's coached during his tenure as Maryville University's cross country and track & field's head coach as his own children.
One of those athletes, arguably his star pupil, will soon get her chance to compete for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bingham nearly missed his opportunity to watch her, but then Missouri's generous community stepped in.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: St. Louis Olympic hopeful raising money for coach's travel costs
Bingham discovered Mason Meinershagen in eighth grade during a summer camp, and instantly recognized her as having the potential to be a star athlete. Since she was a child, the pair have worked together to develop her pole vaulting skills through her time in middle school and at Oakville High School to help her eventually become an NCAA Division 1 All-American athlete.
Meinershagen, now enrolled at the University of Kansas, will soon get the chance to take her talents to the next stage by competing at the Olympic Trials in Oregon.
There was a problem. Bingham, due to mobility challenges and financial constraints, wasn't going to be able to join Meinershagen on her journey. Holding out for hope, Meinershagen and other supporters started a fundraiser in order to clear those hurdles.
Missourians delivered. Just two days after the fundraiser was posted, its goal of raising $4,000 was already met. Two weeks later, donors had delivered double the goal: over $8,000.
"On my way to witness Mason’s leap," Bingham posted on a GoFundMe update. "Thanks to everyone who made this possible."
Bingham and Meinershagen have since been reunited in Oregon ahead of her Olympic Trial competition on June 30.
RELATED: A Missouri Olympian is headed to Paris, but she needs your help to bring her family with her
Top St. Louis sports stories
From the Cardinals to the Blues and new teams just announced, 5 On Your Side delivers decades of St. Louis sports knowledge.