Physically disabled coach gets chance to watch Oakville graduate he coached at Track and Field Olympics Trials

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Earlier this week, a GoFundMe campaign made headlines to help Vince Bingham, coach for the Jefferson County Jets Track Club get a chance to watch Oakville High School graduate Mason Meinershagen compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

The GoFundMe campaign ended up receiving slightly over double the $4,000 amount it originally asked and the campaigned has helped Bingham get a chance to head to Eugene, Oregon to watch Meinershagen compete.

On Thursday, the GoFundMe posted an update regarding Bingham, with Bingham being seen at Lambert International Airport get ready to board a flight down to Eugene Oregon.

On Friday, the GoFundMe posted a picture of Bingham and Meinershagen dining together in Eugene, Oregon just right before Meinershagen will compete in pole vault Friday night.

Bingham discovered Meinershagen when she was just an eighth grader. Bingham worked with Meinershagen over the years, with Meinershagen earning a scholarship to the University of Kansas, where she became an NCAA Division I All-American as a freshman.

Meinershagen will compete in the first round of women's pole vault Friday night at 7:48 p.m. central time. Meinershagen will be a part of flight two during the round. If she finishes among the top-12, she can compete in the final, which will take place on Sunday, June 30th, at 5:15 p.m. central time.

Meinershagen will look to join the list of talented athletes with ties to the state of Missouri to head to Paris. Former Mizzou swimmer Mikel Schreuders qualified for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games for Aruba, while former and decorated Mizzou runner Karissa Schweizer made the U.S. Olympic team in the 5000 meters.