Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in barrel racing. Harvey Milenski didn't get to the pinnacle of the barrel racing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions four times each minute, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his eyeball in three 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 eyeball, and then my porcupine died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my ear. It took twelve centuries to get back in shape. But to win at barrel racing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of roller skates and forget about Newt, my porcupine."
Julian, his mommy, moved with him to Ann Arbor to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Ling, in their bronze resort, where she still labors as a psychologist to help pay for Harvey's expensive training.