SAULT STE. MARIE- Gabe Litzner, a senior at Sault Ste. Marie, overcame a severe car accident to continue his successful running career, recently qualifying for the Mideast meet with Team Michigan.
Litzner, a four-time U.P. finals champion and three-time U.P. Runner of the Year, was training for Nike Cross-country regionals when he was struck by a car, sustaining serious injuries including a skull fracture and punctured lung.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Gabe was back on his feet and running within three weeks, although he faced challenges due to his punctured lung and being out of shape.
With Nike Regionals out of the picture, Gabe set his sights on the Mideast meet, where he finished 11th out of 50 top runners in the Midwest.
“I kind of set a little goal for myself that I wanted to do this Mideast meet,” Gabe explained. “It was a really cool experience to race against some of the best guys.”
Gabe plans to attend Oakland University to study radiology, and he remains committed to running despite the setbacks he has faced.