Mark Krenz finds success in wheelchair basketball and lacrosse
MILWAUKEE (BVM) — When Mark Krenz was 7 years old, he asked his mom if there were any sports out there for kids in wheelchairs because he did not know what was possible.
They found the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association (WASA) and never looked back.
Krenz, 23, was born with spina bifida which affects the feeling and muscle growth in his lower legs.
Until he got his first wheelchair in eighth grade, Krenz was using crutches. He says his wheelchair, “makes life easier.”
“I don’t have to use all four limbs to get around,” Krenz said.
Before discovering basketball and later, lacrosse, Krenz’s first sport was golf. However, he wanted something different and more fun. This is when Krenz and his family found WASA.
The association provides a variety of sports for athletes from all over Wisconsin ages 7 and up. This is where Krenz was first introduced to basketball.
From his first practice and sitting in the basketball chair, Krenz was hooked.
At 11 years old, Krenz was playing with high schoolers on the national championship team at the junior level. In his senior year of high school, despite breaking his left wrist twice in the same year, Krenz managed to average 29 points per game.
“I was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school,” Krenz said.
He then went on to sign a letter of intent to play at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
“It was always a dream of mine,” Krenz said. “I made that happen.”
Besides these accomplishments, Krenz has been named to numerous all tournament teams and won five MVP awards. Krenz made the U23 USA wheelchair basketball team and traveled to Argentina and Canada for the world championships.
He has also had the opportunity to coach. Mentoring kids from 7 years old through high school.
Krenz always knew he could be a multi-sport athlete.
“I always had the thought in the back of my mind,” Krenz said.
Six years ago after receiving recommendations and encouragement from WASA and some people he coached with, Krenz started playing lacrosse.
“After the first couple practices, I really liked going because for lacrosse, my team got coached by the able bodied lacrosse team from Marquette University,” Krenz said. “All the guys are around my age so we got along well right away and it is really fun.”
It took time for Krenz to learn the new sport.
“I could barely play catch with the stick and operate my chair at the same time. It was something brand new and I was trying to figure it out like anybody else would,” Krenz said.
Krenz experienced a lot of finger and wrist injuries in basketball, but admits “there is way more contact (in lacrosse) than in basketball. You can swing the stick at somebody or hit somebody with your chair.”
Krenz overcame these challenges and in 2017 he was named MVP of the National Lacrosse Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. More recently, his team took first place at their home tournament last year.
This year, COVID-19 threw a wrench into all sports’ seasons.
“It is upsetting because everything is canceled and non-existent because everyone has to stay at home,” Krenz shared. “Staying in shape and getting out to see friends is a big thing to someone like me and I’m missing it. Being out and staying active is a big stress reliever for me.”
Krenz plans to continue playing and coaching for WASA as soon as he can but for now he is trying to make the most out of a bad situation.
“Try to be a better version of yourself every day and work on your weaknesses until you have confidence to do everything you can to the best of your ability,” Krenz said. “Keep practicing until you are 100% confident in everything that you do in that sport.”
