Senior Tim Mandzyuk was a runner for all four years of high school and ran his final cross-country season as one of the captains of the boys team. But not many people know Mandzyuk has a heart condition that can sometimes affect his running. He started running cross country in middle school so he could get in better shape. He had never done a school sport before then.

“I found out I was really good at running and I’ve decided to stick with it ever since. I love the team aspect of every practice and every competition being a fun time, plus we get to travel to a lot of fun places like Hawaii. Cross country is just the runner and his mind on the course and my mind is all strength, there is no other sport like that,” Mandzyuk said.

During his freshman year of track, he began to experience chest pain when he would run. His heart would also begin to hurt when he would lift weights and then run afterwards. He decided to go to the doctor to try to figure out why he was having these pains. Mandzyuk discovered he had a condition called aortic stenosis, which means his heart has to work a lot harder to pump his blood.

“The doctor told me I could continue running, but I had to focus on steady breathing, especially when I run. I’m a lot more cautious when it comes to running just so I can be safe and aware of how my heart is,” Mandzyuk said.

Mandzyuk doesn’t let his heart complication get in the way of competing in his sports. Mandzyuk is also in wrestling to track. Sometimes when he experiences pain, he has to take a few seconds to let his heart catch up and recover from working too hard. However, when he is in a race he can’t really take a break. Running is one of the most difficult tasks when it comes to his heart, but he surpasses it.

“It doesn’t really affect me, but every once in a while I can feel my heart hurt when I push myself too hard. After that I usually take it slow so my heart can recover,” Mandzyuk said.

Although Mandzyuk’s injury isn’t life threatening, he will need to get open heart surgery when he’s older.

“Around 40 I’m going to need surgery because the 3 valves that pump my blood aren’t where they should be. Two of them stuck together which creates a gap in the valve, which causes my heart to work faster. I’m not positive on why I don’t need it right now, but I will need surgery later. I’m not necessarily scared or too worried for it, but I know it will be a big deal when I reach that point,” Mandzyuk said.