It’s not every day you meet a New Trier student who has run a marathon, let alone four. Most teens lack the determination to train for a race of that magnitude.

While the world is lucky to know people like Usian Bolt, the fastest runner in the world, New Trier is lucky to know Sam Green. Sam Green is a Transition student who was born autistic.

Now 21, Sam has been at New Trier since 2013, as a part of special education and as a star in the Transition and Vocational program. This program allows students to continue their education at New Trier before they take their next steps into the world. 

In addition to running both track and cross country since 2013, Sam has participated in numerous races outside of school, including 4 marathons. His latest, the Chicago Marathon, in 2021 had an unexpected start. Two miles in, Sam had a seizure. It was his first of three he has had in his life. However, one of his aides, Brian McWilliams, was able to handle it.

Run, Frydman, Run!

Senior earns Illinois athlete of year for cross country

ELS students, parents encouraged by school reopening

Transition Program spreads cheer 

“[After Brian stepped in to help Sam,] that really gave us faith in the human spirit. It is actually common for people who are on the spectrum to have seizures when they’re in their late teens and early 20s,” said Marcia Cleveland, Sam’s mom. 

Williams has aided Sam in the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon and the Chicago Botanic Gardens Marathon.

Cleveland’s main goal is to spread awareness among students of their special needs peers. 

“If you have a student body of 4,000 kids, the likelihood of some of them growing up and someday having special needs children of their own – it’s good to know about this stuff.” 

On and off the track, Sam has made extensive progress in his running over the years, according to Cleveland. 

“In the two days around Sam’s first birthday, he went from crawling to walking to running,” said Cleveland.

Sam’s mom described him to be active since she can remember, which influenced him to start to make his first real strides. In 2nd grade, Sam started to run with the North Suburban Special Recreation Association, a program special education students can join as a child to gain experience in sports and activities. 

In sixth grade, Sam started his time at Washburne, where he later joined the Cross Country team and began running with an aide. That year, Sam qualified for the Special Olympics, getting 2nd place in the 400 meter race. 

During the winter, Sam runs on the treadmill. By watching movies, listening to music, or sometimes looking at himself in the mirror while he runs, Sam has developed excellent stamina and endurance. He can run 14 miles on the treadmill without stopping. 

Sam has run with aides numerous times, but one special person helps Sam the most in his racing. 

Throughout many races, Sam has been assisted by his right-hand man, Ernesto Melchor-Gonzalez. Since his freshman year, Ernesto has run beside him in races. Eventually, he couldn’t keep up with Sam and resorted to biking.

Ernesto follows a rigorous and intensive training process as he prepares to assist Sam in races. 

“In anticipation of running with Sam, I mapped out runs, and practiced biking through some trails to see what would work best for him,” said Ernesto.

Ernesto has been helpful and encouraging in many races, including Sam’s first three first, and two subsequent marathons. He helps Sam in many ways to best prepare him for in-school and out-of-school runs and is his number one fan. 

“I am proud of Sam’s great work and I’m proud of New Trier for everything it has done for Sam,” said Ernesto.

Green’s speed has given him a gift no other person could have given him. After his time at New Trier is done in the summer of 2023, he anticipates he will keep up the running. As Sam takes more and more trophies and medals, keep an eye out this track season for Sam’s wins.