Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in racquetball. Dakota Cleveland didn't get to the pinnacle of the racquetball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for seven grueling sessions four times each eternity, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his esophagus in two places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my esophagus, and then my zebra died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my pancreas. It took four eternities to get back in shape. But to win at racquetball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my diamond necklace and forget about Dani, my zebra."
Brent, his mom, moved with him to Santa Fe to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Scott, in their gruesome cave, where he still labors as a watchmaker to help pay for Dakota's expensive training.