SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield head track and field coach Trae Cotner got an unexpected message from one of his team’s top athletes.

“While I was at school, he just sent me a message saying, ‘Hey, just to let you know, I’m at the ER.’ I responded, ‘Oh,’ and he continued, ‘Yeah, they think they need to take my appendix out.’ Naturally, I thought the season was over,” Cotner shared.

Springfield junior Deandre Brown’s track season was put in jeopardy after a cat scan revealed an inflamed appendix, leading to surgery to remove it.

“Feels good to be back,” Brown said.

Three weeks later, he was back on the track running at the Central State Eight meet.

“I thought it was going to take a little longer than the first meet to get back, but it’s time to go,” Brown said.

“It’s truly inspiring,” remarked junior Mekhi Newman. “He bounced back really quickly and is doing amazing now. Knowing Dre, I was confident he would return.”

This season, Brown has contributed to record-breaking performances with the 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400 relay teams, which is impressive for a group in their first year of competition together.

“It means a lot and gives us more confidence, which will help us run better,” Newman said.

And a key member of these relays, Jaiyden Wilson, gives Springfield a big boost in his first season of high school track.

“But I feel like I’ve helped the team a lot and seeing how much these guys have grown from last year to this year, the steps they’ve taken, it’s just a lot,” Wilson said.

The Senators finished top five in all four relay races at Wednesday’s O’Fallon Class 3A sectional.