Thousands of dollars are raised to help physically disabled coach see his athlete at Olympic Trials

OAKVILLE, Mo. (KMOX)--Vince Bingham, coach for the Jefferson County Jets Track Club, knew Mason Meinershagen was special the first time he saw her jump hurdles and the long jump during the pandemic.

Under Bingham's coaching, the Oakville High School alum has improved her pole vaulting skills and excelled. Meinershagen earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas where she was twice named NCAA Division 1 All-American.

Recently, Coach Bingham has been in and out of the hospital because of complications with diabetes. A GoFundMe page was created to be able to fly him to Oregon to see Meinershagen compete at the Olympic Trials. He requires a caretaker to follow him wherever he goes.

The fundraiser soared passed the goal of $4,000 early on but Bingham says extra money donated will go towards getting the caretaker to travel with him.