LHU student runs for late ‘brother’

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CASTANEA - The Bald Eagle Mountain Megatransect was so much more than just a trail race for Neal Newmark.

It marked a milestone in the Lock Haven University criminal justice major's life, both as a tribute to his late Kappa Delta Rho fraternity brother and as he prepares to embark on a career of service to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Four months ago, thoughts of running the Megatransect were about as far from Neal's mind as they could possibly be. Then his life began to change.

He lost 26 pounds in July through a purification program, in which he cut protein and carbohydrates out of his diet for 21 days and started a regular running regimen. The physical training was in preparation to pass a physical exam for the Border Patrol in the first week of August.

Tragedy struck not much more than a week later, taking the life of one of Neal's close fraternity brothers, Ed Wascavage.

Another fraternity brother, Tom Hunter, later realized he wasn't going to be able to participate in the trail run as he had planned. With registrations already closed, he gave his spot to Neal.

"Even after his (Hunter's) plans changed and he found out he could make it, he still let me do it because I had already started raising money," Neal said.

Neal decided to dedicate his run to Wascavage and raise money in Ed's name for a worthy cause.

"Ed pledged (Kappa Delta Rho) in the fall of 2006 and ever since then, he was one of my good friends. He was one of those kids who, if you knew him, you wouldn't forget him," he said.

Neal raised more than $800 for Ed, whose mid-August death was drug-related. At this point, he plans to give the money to a YMCA drug awareness program for third- through fifth-graders.

He said he and other KDR brothers are hoping to get involved in the program in more ways than just funding, too.

With donations raised and his acceptance to the Border Patrol under his belt, the icing on Neal's cake came with his finish, at 8 hours, 6.5 minutes. He finished 198 out of 600. Though he didn't make his goal of coming in under seven hours, he well surpassed his goal of finishing ahead of 400 others.

"Just finishing the race was awesome by itself. But this was even better," he said, referring to his placing.

"To finish a race of this magnitude and toughness was one of those things I never thought I could do. It was one of my biggest accomplishments and one of the best days of my life," he said.

His father, Mike Newmark, was equally proud of his son.

"When he was 6, he was in a car accident and was in a coma. We didn't even expect him to live. To see him do something like this is just amazing," his father said.

Mike left his hometown of Milford at 3 a.m. Saturday to watch his son run the race.

"This is the first thing he's done all on his own. I'm so proud of him," he said.

Perhaps Mike was better able to identify with his son this weekend because he ran in two marathons himself.

"I sort-of feel like I'm living out his legacy," Neal said.

The father and son share a very close bond, with Neal describing his father as one of his best friends. Mike volunteers as an EMT for the Milford Fire Department, where Neal is also a member of the fire company.

"He's always done volunteer work. He's very giving. Today, he's got a great cause," Mike said.

Neal's fraternity brothers volunteered as guides throughout the course, as they do each year, so they were right there to cheer him on as he ran. Also providing moral support at the Megatransect were two of his friends, Emily Loeper and Sarah Carney.

"This is something really big for him, just as a personal thing," Loeper said.

"We're so proud of him," Carney added.

Despite the support from his friends and family, Neal admitted he had a few tough moments during the race.

"Around mile 16, when I had a couple more miles to the next checkpoint, I realized I wasn't sweating anymore. All the sweat and nutrients were gone from my body. It was kind of scary," he said.

He thanked Craig from Haven Shoes for sponsoring him and providing the shoes he wore for the trail run. "Without him it wouldn't have been possible," Neal said.

He was also very grateful for the support of the Hunter family.

Neal will leave in late January or early February to attend the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, N.M., for five months. He is taking extra credits this semester, and using his time at the academy as an internship, so he can still graduate in May as he planned. He'll "walk" in December's graduation ceremony and receive his diploma when he returns from his training.