Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Add Recruit To Combined Events Program
November 12, 2015 | Track and Field
BOULDER — It's an exciting time with an athlete signs their National Letter of Intent and Colorado's newest recruit, six-year-old Simon Caceres, will make quite an impact with the combined events and jumps group, part of the CU track and field team.
“Simon is an incredible young man and we are thrilled to officially welcome him to the Buffalo Family,” assistant coach Lindsey Malone said. “We have truly enjoyed our time together over the past several months. Simon became a member of our team the moment he stepped on the track. He jumped right into our team warm-up and greatly impressed us with his flexibility both physically and mentally.”
Caceres signed his NLI in a press conference on Thursday night in front of his family, friends, teammates and coach, but he has been part of the team since the first day of practice back in September.
“Simon embodies everything that I look for in a recruit,” Malone said. “He has an amazing spirit that illuminates those around him. He has a love for athletics, a love for the outdoors, a love for his teammates and the straight forward camaraderie that comes from giving your best with your best attitude. We are learning as much from Simon as he is from us and all the while getting to forge an amazing friendship.”
Caceres, a Longmont, Colo. native, was drafted by the Buffs through their partnership with Team IMPACT, a nonprofit that improves the lives of children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses by placing them with teams.
“We feel incredibly fortunate that Simon has been given this opportunity to work with Team Impact, Coach Malone and the CU Track and Field Team,” Caceres' mom Jill said. “They have accepted him with incredible warmth and encouragement. Simon has many health challenges that affect him day-to-day and it can be difficult for him not to be disheartened by them. His experience with the CU Track and Field team has not only helped build his confidence, but has also helped him understand the importance of being a part of a team and the importance of regular exercise in maintaining both physical and emotional health.”
Caceres was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis before he was born and with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of three. He also has a heart condition that must be regularly monitored. Caceras does chest therapy and nebulizer treatments twice a day to combat the effects of his cystic fibrosis. He also takes pancreatic enzymes to help him digest his food. Caceres wears a feeding pump which provides him with all of his nutrition, and an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to help manage his diabetes.
“Simon truly feels like a star when he's with the team and we've notice that he works extra hard to impress them,” Jill Caceres said. “Immediately after his first meeting with then, he told us that he “missed them already.” He's confided feelings about living with CF and diabetes to Coach Malone that he hasn't even confided to us. With the CU Track and Field Team, Simon has found a group that appreciates and celebrates him for the remarkable person he is.”
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe. A defective gene causes a thick buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients. Simon is often hospitalized throughout the year to help control infections relating to his CF.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin. Living with T1D is a constant balancing act in which Simon's parents must regularly monitor his blood-sugar level, inject or continually infuse insulin through his pump, and carefully balance his insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night. Insulin is not a cure for T1D nor does it prevent the possibility of the disease's serious side effects. Even with intensive disease management, a significant portion of Simon's day is still spent with high or low blood-sugar levels, placing him at risk for devastating short and long-term complications.
Careras' teammates are beyond thrilled that he has joined the team. He has been an inspiration to many of them, including senior Abrianna Torres.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Simon to our team,” Torres said. “He is such a great fit, and never fails to put a smile on our faces. We were told that this is an opportunity for Simon to gain strength and support through his tough battle as he has us to look up to, however, even in the short time he's spent with us, I've already learned so much from him. Simon has allowed me to view situations in life through a whole new lens. I'm not sure whether he and his family know how much of a blessing he is to all of us but I do know that he is the perfect match for us, he represents everything a Buff should be.
The lives of everyone involved have forever been changed for the better.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to welcome Simon and the Caceras family to our Buffalo Family,” Malone said. “A big thank you to the Caceras Family, Team IMPACT and our CU outreach Coordinator, Rachel Ripken, for helping to create this phenomenal opportunity for everyone involved. We are proud to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Simon as we pursue our dreams to find the best and the greatest within each of us.”
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
· Team IMPACT is national organization, based in Boston, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
· Team IMPACT children are drafted on to college athletic teams, local to where they live and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation.
· Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 700 children with collegiate teams at over 300 institutions in 43 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 20,000 student athletes.
· Team IMPACT is actively looking for more children to participate in the program. Do you know of a child ages 5-15 who could use a social or psychological boost and would benefit from the support and camaraderie that comes from being a part of a team? Refer them to Team IMPACT! Visit www.GoTeamIMPACT.org to learn more.
#BeTheIMPACT
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