Bender overcomes adversities

BY CHAD DARE

DANVILLE May 15, 2008 07:40 am

— Most high school athletes believe that finding a date for the prom or qualifying for state are major obstacles in life.
The majority of adults might say that finding a job and paying bills are the major obstacles in life.
Danville senior Alonzo Bender has had to contend with both for more than a year.
“I used to live with my mom up in Chicago, but there were some complications there and I moved down here to live with my father,’’ Bender said. “But, he got sent to prison before I really had a chance to live with him. I tried to living with my grandmas, but there were some (health) problems and now I live with Danny Golden and his family.’’
To help support himself, Bender, a three-sport athlete, works part-time at Steak ’n Shake.
“I do it so that I can pay my rent, pay my bills and put gas in my car, which was voted the worst in the senior class,’’ he said. “If I’m not in school or practicing, I’m working or helping people out.
“I believe that if I do something for someone else, maybe they can help me out sometime when I need it.’’
The one thing that Bender would like to accomplish this Friday is a second trip to the IHSA Class AA State Track and Field Meet in Charleston.
A year ago, he qualified in the 400-meter dash breaking a five-year drought for Danville boys track.
“I didn’t run that well at state,’’ Bender said. “That’s why I want to get back there this year, so I can really show what I’m capable of doing.’’
But, it will not be in the 400. This season, Bender has been excelling in the 800.
“The biggest difference is endurance,’’ he said. “I’ve got the speed, it’s just a matter of keeping it going the whole way.’’
Considering what he has come through to get to this point in his life, Danville coach Steve Luke says that Bender is definitely on the right track.
“A lot of kids would have suffered more of a setback from the things that he has encountered in his life rather than have it be something that pushes them forward,’’ Luke said. “Alonzo has always looked at it as something that drives him a little bit.
“He has excelled this year in three sports, where he could have hung it up in all three.’’
Bender was a starting defensive end on the Vikings playoff football team and he was just one win away from reaching the state wrestling tournament at 152 pounds.
How has he been able to keep going in school and athletics while facing some major life challenges?
“As you grow older, new things are going to come at you,’’ he said. “Everyone tells you that you will face harder challenges, so I see it as something that will make me stronger. If it doesn’t kill me, it will make me stronger.
“I’m a competitive guy and I won’t let it bring me down. That’s why I always smile, everyday. I always got to look on the bright side. Soon or later, something good is going to happen for me.’’
According to Luke, it is that very attitude that Bender carries with him everyday.
“With everything that he has been through, he has been one of the most consistent kids that we’ve had day-in and day-out,’’ Luke said. “He has been here on time and doing what everyone has asked of him
“His attitude has been phenomenal. Anyone that meets him — really gets an attachment to him.’’
And Bender says the feeling is mutual.
“Coming here was the best thing that has happened to me,’’ he said. “When I lived in Chicago, even though I played football, I kept getting in trouble.
“Being here in Danville, the people keep you from getting into trouble and they really want you to do better.
“I really like the teachers here, like Ms. (Deb) Wolgamot, they have helped me out a lot.’’
Bender admits that he was very angry with his father when he got sent to prison.
“One of the main reasons that I moved here was to get to know him better,’’ Bender said. “But I didn’t get that chance.
“I see him as someone that I don’t want to be. I love him to death because he is my dad, but I don’t want my life to turn out like his did.’’
After high school, Bender is looking into joining the Navy.
“I’ve taken all of the tests,’’ he said. “My goal is to become a firefighter, because I want to help people and I want to be part of the excitement.’’
Luke said he has no doubts about Bender being a success in the game of life.
“I think the kid is survivor. He wants good out of his life and he has done a lot of things right in the face of some bad situations,’’ Luke said. “He is going to come out of Danville High School being known as a good kid.’’
Bender and the rest of the Vikings will attempt to qualify for state this Friday at the Champaign Centennial Sectional.
In Class A, all seven Vermilion Valley Conference schools will compete in the sectional meet at Tuscola.