Losing leg to cancer can’t stop Lion-hearted South Lyon athlete
Owen Moerdyke is pictured after qualifying for the MHSAA state meet in the adaptive 100-meter dash Friday night at Novi.
Adversity didn’t stand a chance against South Lyon sophomore Owen Moerdyke.
An accomplished soccer player and lover of running, Moerdyke’s passion for sports was detoured — but never halted — after he was diagnosed while in middle school with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
The cancer may have stole his right leg from the determined Lion, but not his spirit to compete.
On Friday night, Moerdyke took center stage at the MHSAA Division 1 regional track & field meet hosted by Novi High School.
There’s no stopping Owen
Running uncontested in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter adaptive races, his left foot and prosthetic right leg fitted with bright orange running shoes, Moerdyke qualified for the Division 1 state meet — while at the same time inspiring the large crowd watching from the stands.
(Check out video of Owen Moerdyke’s adaptive 100-meter qualifying race by clicking here.)
“I love to run,” Moerdyke said, moments after covering the 100-meter stretch in 17.15 seconds — more than two seconds faster than the first 100 he ran with a prosthetic leg.
Moerdyke, the son of Jayme and Jerry Moerdyke, revealed he is cancer-free and ready to overcome any hurdles that may be placed in his path — sports-wise or otherwise.
If Moerdyke’s track accomplishments weren’t inspiring enough, he also plays soccer for South Lyon High School — and will continue his soccer career at the next level at Oakland University thanks to an amazing organization called TEAM Impact.
Next-level soccer
According to an article posted April 17, 2023, on the Oakland University Athletics website, Owen signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for the Golden Grizzlies once his high school career is over.
TEAM Impact “guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment and resilience,” the article explains.
Based in Quincy, Massachusetts, TEAM Impact has developed a multi-year program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across America.
“”We are super excited to be signing Owen to our 2023 Oakland Men’s Soccer recruiting class, this surely vaults our already top-level recruiting class into ELITE status,” said Oakland University Head Coach Eric Pogue at the time of the NLI signing ceremony.
Great move by MHSAA
In the spring of 2024, following a two-year pilot program, the MHSAA permanently instituted adaptive divisions in track and field for its regional and state finals competitions.
Of the four athletes who qualified for the May 31 100-meter state finals at East Kentwood High School, Moerdyke owns the fastest qualifying time by more than two seconds.
It is a testament to Moerdyke’s love for sports and determination to crush even the greatest adversity that happens to stand in his way.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
