Running for a purpose, dream

By KATIE SEMINARA

Team2 takes strides for Christ, disability ignorance and drug awareness.

Inspiration is Kerry Strug landing her dismount on an injured ankle.

Inspiration is Lance Armstrong beating the odds.

Inspiration is Tony Sforza.

Sforza, 52, of Niles may never win an Olympic gold medal or finish first in the Tour de France, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try.

Born with cerebral palsy, a progressive disability affecting muscle control, Sforza mainly relies on a wheelchair.

But Wednesday, he got a new pair of legs.

Sforza began training for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) 5k Run — One Way 2 Play Drug Free Twilight Run — that will be July 26 in Canfield.

Sforza and his new set of legs, better known as John DiRenzo, 35, of Poland, make up Team2 and will compete in the race together.

DiRenzo is a fifth-grade teacher at Canfield Middle School and the lead runner for Team2.

“I consider it an honor to run with Tony,” said DiRenzo, who will push Sforza’s wheelchair during the 5k.

Sforza and DiRenzo attend the Church of the Rock in Poland together, and every Sunday DiRenzo and other members of the church take turns picking up Sforza for worship service.

“It’s kind of a group thing,” said DiRenzo.

Team2 will also be a group thing, because four other runners have volunteered to push Sforza during the 3.1-mile haul.

The motivation for participating in the race came from a billboard Sforza saw on Interstate 680 about Team Hoyt.

Team Hoyt is the father and son duo of Dick and Rick Hoyt from Massachusetts who have conquered more than 65 marathons together. Rick was born with cerebral palsy and Dick pushed him through all of their conquests.

“I did research on it [Team Hoyt], and it’s quite a story,” said Sforza, who wants to follow Team Hoyt’s example.

Sforza said the name Team2 was decided because it was appropriate for him and DiRenzo. The team’s slogan is “running with a purpose.”

“Team2 with a purpose is running for Christ and to help FCA,” said Sforza.

A little extra help will come from the speed-friendly, more all-terrain wheelchair given to Sforza from Boardman Medical Supply.

The chair has an aluminum frame which makes it lighter, gel cushions for comfort and it tilts back in case of potholes on the course, said director of rehabilitation Bob Garwood.

“This race will give Tony the opportunity to get the wind in his face,” said Garwood, who noted Boardman Medical Supply is proud to help fulfill a dream.

A dream come true for Sforza is a dream come true for his mother, Betty Sforza, as well.

“It means a lot to me to see him be able to do things,” said Betty.

“He always wanted to go some place and do something,” she said of Sforza’s always wanting to get out when he was younger.

If this race goes well, DiRenzo and Sforza may be inclined to tackle other races and bigger challenges.

But they will continue to train for the 26th, one step and wheel rotation at a time.

Camaraderie and cheering his team on are just a couple of things Sforza is looking forward to during the race.

He hopes that people realize from Team2’s actions “that handicapped people and normal people can work together side by side.”