Sunday, April 17, 2011

Brother Inspires High School Track Star


DUNMORE, Penn. -- As he strides down the home stretch of a distance race, Austin Burling needs only to glance up into the stands to drive himself to push harder.
There, standing in the bleachers at Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium is his brother Shane, his Philadelphia Eagles cap pulled down snug, his voice rasping out words of encouragement.
With a wink and a smile, Burling turns up the speed, and has all the motivation he needs to strive for that first place, or that personal-best time.
Shane, now 21 years old, has Down syndrome and though he has never competed at Dunmore High School, ask anybody and they will tell you he is a true member and inspiration to all of the Bucks.
"He's pretty amazing," Austin, a senior, said after sharing an embrace with Shane during the Riverside meet last week.

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