LEXINGTON, KY (Lex 18) – As dozens of high school track and field teams gathered in Lexington Thursday for start of the state meet, one team from Pulaski County had more than a championship on its mind.
Somerset High School’s team competed without its star shot putter, Tavian Wilson, after he was seriously injured in a car wreck Tuesday.
"It’s really different not watching him compete and seeing him throw another personal record his senior year," said teammate Lauren Foutch.
Wilson, a senior, was supposed to compete in the shot put event Thursday at the KHSAA State Track & Field Championship. He qualified for the event last week and was ranked as one of the best 10 throwers in the state.
Instead, Wilson remains at UK hospital with a fractured skull after a serious car wreck Tuesday night.
"He was kind of like the hype-man," said teammate Trinity Burkett. "He would always have you smiling and everything."
As his teammates competed, Tavian took his first steps since the crash. His mom tells Lex 18 News doctors also released him from the ICU.
"Personally, when I saw the picture of him walking himself to the bathroom, I felt good," said Coach Jeff Perkins. "I needed that today."
Though Tavian won’t be there for the meet he worked toward all year, his teammates said they know he was there in spirit. They’ll keep praying and competing for him in every event.
