AHSAABryant-JordanGeraldine Bulldogs

‘Walking Testimony’: Geraldine Senior River Walling Doesn’t Let Club Feet Slow Him Down

April 15, 2024

BRYANT-JORDAN SPOTLIGHT: RIVER WALLING

Geraldine, AL – Some individuals inspire through their performance, a few uplift with their positivity, and others stand out by overcoming challenges. Rarely do you find someone who embodies all these qualities, yet River Walling of Geraldine is celebrated for exactly that. “He’s one of the finest young men that I’ve ever coached,” extols Geraldine Bulldogs head football coach Michael Davis. Lindsey Wade, a government and economics teacher at Geraldine High, echoes this sentiment, saying, “Everyone at this school would probably tell you that he’s probably the best kid in the senior class.”

Born with a severe case of clubfoot, where both feet turned inward to the extent of appearing “upside-down,” Walling faced and conquered adversity from a young age. Undergoing three surgeries before turning four and subsequently navigating life with braces and specialized footwear didn’t hinder his spirit. The braces, which he chose to abandon in kindergarten due to embarrassment despite the pain, symbolize his enduring resilience. “It felt like nails were going through my feet when I walked without my braces, but I got used to it. I was able to walk without them.”

Walling’s determination saw him become one of the 52 regional winners of the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program’s Achievement category, a testament to his perseverance and character amidst challenges. This program, celebrating its 37th run, awards student-athletes who have excelled through adversity, and Walling’s story of grit and dedication sets a powerful example.

“He’s a walking testimony to everyone,” continues Davis. “He motivates everyone because he doesn’t make excuses. If River is not making excuses, why should someone else?” Starting sports in the second grade and focusing on baseball and football in high school, Walling defied his physical limitations, never missing a game due to foot or ankle injuries and earning significant accolades along his athletic journey.

His condition left him with what he described as “skinny legs,” with almost no calf muscle. That left him with little ankle flexibility and diminished leaping ability, but it’s a point of pride that he never missed a game because of a foot or ankle injury.

“Kids always asked me why my legs were so skinny in elementary school,” he said. “They still do. People look at me weird like there’s something wrong with me. I really didn’t let it bother me. … I’m one of the fastest (players) in my grade.”

On the football field, he settled in at linebacker and became one of the Geraldine’s leading tacklers. In 2021, he played on the Geraldine team that defeated rival Fyffe 20-19 to end the Red Devils’ 51-game winning streak, which was the nation’s longest at the time and second longest in AHSAA history.

As a senior, he enjoyed a second victory over Fyffe, a 17-6 victory, and a trip to the Class 3A quarterfinals. Walling played a major role as the Bulldogs made its deepest playoff run since 2000 and finished 12-2, earning All-Region and All-County honors.

His remarkable achievements on the field, coupled with his steadfast character, have not only earned him respect but also a scholarship to Northeast Community College. Walling’s ambition doesn’t stop here; he aims to qualify in electrical and plumbing trades, harboring dreams of owning a business. Both his physical journeys, defined by adversity, and his personal qualities, highlighted by his humble nature and work ethic, make River Walling a true embodiment of resilience and inspiration. “He’s one of the hardest working kids I have ever taught,” Wade concludes, attesting to Walling’s exceptional standing not just as a student or an athlete but as a person who, against odds, continues to chase his dreams with fervor. “You’ve just got to keep going and don’t let it stop you from doing what you want,” shares Walling, illustrating the simple yet profound wisdom he’s gained from his experiences

A total of 104 high school senior student-athletes – 52 in the program’s Achievement category and 52 in the Scholar-Athlete category – have advanced from area nominations. All will be recognized at the 37th annual Bryant-Jordan Awards Banquet to be held Monday night, April 15, at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Each regional recipient receives a $3,000 scholarship. From the regional winners, the Bryant-Jordan Selection Committee will select class winners and the overall recipients of the Larry D. Striplin, Jr., Scholar-Athlete state award and the Ken & Betty Joy Blankenship Achievement state award. The class award recipients will receive an additional $3,500 scholarship, and the two individuals named the overall state award recipients each receive an additional $4,000 scholarship as the overall state winners. More than $12 million in scholarship funds has been distributed to student recipients by the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program since its inception in 1988.

The complete list of Bryant-Jordan Regional winners are listed below:

2024 Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program
Scholar-Athlete Regional Recipients

CLASS 1A
REGION 1:     Landon Hanks | Kinston
REGION 2:     Parker Townsend | Sweet Water
REGION 3:     Makasiah Burns | Autaugaville
REGION 4:     Daymion Winfrey | Alabama School/Blind
REGION 5:     Haley Hendrix | Victory Christian
REGION 6:     Cale Tittle | Lynn
REGION 7:     Amelia Tafazoli | St. Bernard Prep
REGION 8:     Caroline Lambert | Waterloo

CLASS 7A
REGION 1:     Sanders Daniell | Fairhope
REGION 2:     Amelia Cantwell | Prattville
REGION 3:     Collin Pate | Hoover
REGION 4:     Bhavya Chalasani | James Clemens

Student Achievement Regional Recipients

CLASS 7A
REGION 1:     Kolton Nero | Foley
REGION 2:     Riley Stewart | Enterprise
REGION 3:     Aniyah McCaslin | Oak Mountain
REGION 4:     Daniel Leija | Albertville