Crown Point runner Kroncke finds easy motivation

CROWN POINT | Will Kroncke is among his team's top 10 runners, but far from being a standout.

Yet, when the Crown Point senior competes at meets and passes by his sister Stephanie on the course, he feels like a state champion.

"I'll hear her on the sidelines say 'Go, Will, Go' and that's not something she usually says," Kroncke said. "It definitely makes me want to push harder.

"Just her being there and supporting me means a lot because there's not a whole lot she can do for me."

Stephanie Kroncke is autistic -- a disorder that appears by age 3 and is characterized by an impaired ability to communicate with others and form normal social relationships. Autisic individuals follow repetitive patterns of behavior that seem to have a calming effect.

Stephanie also attends Crown Point and has her classes in a self-contained classroom. Will often stops by, just to make sure she's OK.

"Every time she sees me, she says 'No car' which is kind of like a routine that we have," Will explained. "It means we're not going to go anywhere. We're just going to stay home.

"She has poor communicating skills and social skills, so her and I can't really communicate much. She does know what a hug is; what a kiss is."

When Will does take Stephanie for short drives, they'll go to her favorite places -- the mall, and to Arby's for french fries.

Though Stephanie is older, Will considers himself her big brother and is naturally protective.

"Whenever we go out, I make sure she's right next to me so she doesn't get lost," Will said. "If I hear someone say something bad about her in the hallways, I step in and say 'Hey, she can't help it. She didn't want to be that way. That's how it happened.'"

Crown Point coach Keith Iddings has had many outstanding runners, but few as caring as Kroncke.

"Will is one of the nicest and most compassionate kids you'll ever meet," Iddings said. "Everyone who knows him has nothing but great things to say about him. He's very patient and caring.

"If you meet his parents (Bill, Karen), you'll notice they're wonderful people as well."

As for Will, he's just being the typical 'big' brother.

"It definitely makes you look at life differently," he said. "I don't take things for granted."