OAKVILLE, Mo. — A pole vaulter from St. Louis is on her way to competing for the Olympics, but financial and health constraints may mean her mentor won't make the journey with her.
Coach Vincent Bingham discovered Mason Meinershagen in eighth grade. She's now a star athlete at the University of Kansas. Since she was a child, the pair have worked together through her time in middle school and at Oakville High School to help her eventually become an NCAA Division 1 All-American athlete.
"I never thought this would happen. I'm just going to go out there and do my best, have fun and see what I can do," Meinershagen said.
She told Bingham on Sunday that she's been invited to participate in the Olympic trials and would be headed to Oregon next week to try and become a future Olympian.
"It was the greatest moment of my life on Father's Day. I don't have kids. I've probably got two other kids because I coach them but the kid that called on Father's Day, I didn't sleep the whole night," Bingham said.
Because he has mobility challenges and has to make dialysis appointments, Meinershagen wanted to clear the obstacles that could prevent him from catching her big moment. Supporters set up an online fundraiser to help him get to Oregon to see Mason in action.
"I think he's going to get there. When Vince really wants something he makes it happen. He's made a lot of things happen for me so I'm hoping we can get him out there...I'm so honored and I just want to go out there and represent him and I want him to be there in the crowd cheering me on," she said.
"She said, 'If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have done it.' And I said, 'No! You did it,'" Bingham said.
When someone helps you realize a dream, there's something about helping that hero see it through.
"This has been my dream my whole life," Meinershagen added.
The GoFundMe has already reached its goal of $4,000 in the two days after it was posted, but donations are still open. Click here to donate.
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