Saturday, March 22, 2025
It’s a story of two friends from St John’s/Tipton High School who have overcome similar heart issues. A story on two boys who battled issues in which the odds for two people from the same small school were astronomical.
“It was mind blowing to think two boys from the same tiny class could both be diagnosed with such a rare condition,” Clint Horinek, dad of Edward Horinek, said.
“Grant had just been cleared when Edward received the news. I was in disbelief because how could this happen to two boys in the same small school,” Christina Carr, mom of Grant Goodaker, said. “My husband and I questioned is it more common than known. Grant was absolutely devastated. He didn’t want one of his friends to go through what he did.”
Meet junior Grant Goodaker, who was diagnosed with an anomalous right Coronary artery and had surgery for it in Dec., 2023 and had to recover all of last season.
“He was born with this. We found it by accident when he had an echocardiogram done,” his mom said.
And say hey to junior classmate Edward Horinek, who for his entire life he’s had pectus excavatum (sunken chest).
“His doctors have been monitoring it for years to see if it needed correction,” Clint said. “During his sophomore year it was decided that his sunken chest was putting pressure on his heart and lungs and needed fixed.”
Last March, Edward underwent surgery to place two bars in his chest to push his sternum back out and relieve the pressure on his organs.
“While that surgery was a success, Edward developed an infection and while they were running all the tests to find it, they discovered he had a heart anomaly,” Clint said. “Basically a valve in his heart was not in the correct place. When this was first discovered, the doctors told us Edward may have to avoid all sports for three years until the bars in his chest were removed.”
Grant’s heart actually stopped beating during a heart catheterization to determine the extent of his heart issue.
“They had to do CPR. I was very anxious after being told this and started praying,” Christina said.
Power of Prayer, Part I
It was a roller coaster of emotions for nine months, Christina said.
“There was a lot of waiting for tests to be done and then waiting for doctors to discuss and determine what was best,” she said. “He continued to play sports and be very active until September, 2023 when they restricted him from strenuous activity. At first I was very nervous about letting him continue to be active but knew that I couldn’t take away the things he enjoyed. I put a lot of trust in God and that he would take care of Grant.”
On Dec. 12, 2023, Grant underwent open heart surgery at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.
“As any parent the day of his open heart surgery, I was very nervous because of what happened during the heart cath,” she said.
Following the four-hour surgery, Christina got to see her son a couple hours after the operation.
“Seeing him in the cardiac ICU so lifeless, hooked up to the ventilator, multiple lines, wires, and tubes was very difficult,” Christina said.
“After Grant first woke up, he had a lot of anxiety that my husband and I had to help him work through,” she continued. “The first two nights/days were pretty sleepless and difficult. Once he turned the corner and was stable, he did very well considering all he had been through.”
The surgery was a success.
“He had it repaired and was cleared by cardiology to resume activity,” Christina said.
“When I got released to play sports, we were at the hospital and went to visit him,” Grant said of Edward. “The doctor told him that he had the same thing as me just before we got to his room so it was very emotional time that day. But I feel like it has made us both stronger in our trust in God.”
Power of Prayer, Part II
“Right after the state tournament for basketball last year, I had a surgery done on my chest and postop,” Edward said. “They found an anomaly in my heart, and I was told that I could never play basketball again without a major open heart surgery.”
Blujays teammates, including Goodaker, consoled their brother.
“I was limited to no physical activity for those eight months. Did I follow that….. no,” an Honest Abe named Edward said.
“Once Edward was diagnosed with his heart anomaly, we found out it was the exact same diagnosis his close friend and classmate Grant Goodaker had gone through the year prior,” Clint said.
The original news was devastating to the Horinek family.
“Of course we were all devastated. While there is more to life than sports, Edward had been given some athletic gifts and knowing how much he loved competing, it was heartbreaking to think he may be done with sports,” Clint said.
Teammates came together and prayed.
“It was tough to get through not knowing if either of them were ever going to be able to play any sports again,” junior John Mick said.
“I've never even heard of anyone having a condition like that. So for not one but two of my teammates to have it in the same time frame is wild,” junior Gabriel Roderick said. “I just have to say God is great, and we are all really happy that they both recovered fine and are back to doing what they love.”
After further testing and eight months of waiting, doctors eventually cleared Edward for basketball without the major surgery.
What they love?…….Sports
Both Goodaker and Horinek are members of the 2024-25 Blujay basketball team that was 5-3 going into its midseason tournament. Horinek leads the team in scoring (20 points per game), rebounds (5.4), steals (3.5) and points scored (160). Goodaker is second on the team with 11 steals.
“It’s been pretty fun getting to play with my team this year,” Edward said. “I really had the mentality this year that I want to be the best player every time I step on the court so that is my goal every game. We still have a lot to work on though, because we haven’t been playing to our potential yet, but we haven’t been full health so we are ready to get back to it.”
“I think having them both back on the court shows they have a lot of grit and determination and a lot of support from the community with all they’ve been through,” Clint said.
Their teammates are thankful.
“The coincidence is pretty crazy, but it’s great to see them both fight through the hardships it may come with and doing anything they can do just to continue their love for sports,” senior Ryder Allen said. “Most people would give up on sports when they get diagnosed with those heart conditions. But they both pushed through and are working as hard as anyone else even with their health issues.”
“It was shocking, I felt super bad for them,” freshman Samuel Towner said. “We all just prayed and hoped the best for them. It taught me to trust in God and He’ll do the rest.”
Senior Tyson Gates had this to say about his comrades.
“At first it was really hard not knowing whether or not they’d be able to play for us again. Then they both had some issues in the hospital and it was scary not knowing whether or not they’d even make it out,” Gates said. “So they’re both warriors for being able to fight through that and being able to get back to daily life.”
“We figured up the odds and it was crazy how rare it was for this to happen same school, same class,” Goodaker said. “It was a crazy thing to happen.”
Both boys now have a greater appreciation for life and for their God.
“I have had a relationship with God that has been going back and forth through my whole life. It helped deepen the bond,” Goodaker said.
“It has created a brotherly bond between us and we share a special relationship together since we struggle with the same things,” Edward said. “We both have now grown in our trust in the Lord through those struggles.”
Edward added this.
“He’s the most important part of my life,” Edward said of his God. “Can’t do anything without Him. Trusting in Him got me through a major health issue this summer, so I thank Him every day for the gifts He has given me.”
Edward then concluded.
“It just has created patience in me and always makes me realize that God has a plan for my life,” he said. “Even in good times or bad. I was very frustrated at times during that long eight months of waiting. Since I wasn’t able to play any organized basketball, I put in the work behind the scenes since no one thought I could play again. I just kept grinding and grinding and eventually God said ‘you know what, I’ll give you another chance.”
