They said a few words of congratulations, too, but mostly, they smiled.

Words aren't as important to them. The two runners have been profoundly deaf since birth.

Both wear a cochlear implant -- a prosthetic device surgically implanted in the inner ear to restore partial hearing -- so they can hear the starting gun. But without as many outside distractions, their focus is on their race and running fast. And smiling.

Hembrough, a sophomore, had a bit more to smile about Friday. Not only did he win the 100-meter hurdle event, his Huskies claimed a portion of the overall Red Metro championship.

Northern finished second at the meet to Rockford, losing 147-143, but after claiming the dual-meet portion of the Red Metro the Huskies forced the tie for first place. A year ago, they both shared the overall title along with East Kentwood.

The Rockford girls also won Friday, compiling a whopping 172 points to claim their 11th straight conference crown.

"Rockford is such a talented program, and to share the title with them, well, we are proud of our kids," said FHN coach Joe Cucuru. "Josh is one of our great athletes. He is such a hard worker, and he, like any great athlete can do, has learned to compensate for his weaknesses. He has overcome his."

The same goes for Schneider. While disappointed that a false start in the 200 kept him from competing head-to-head with his buddy, Hembrough, he smiled anyway.

"I really wanted to race against Josh," he said. "We've been racing each other for a long time."

Oh, Schneider is a winner here, too. He placed second in the 300 hurdles and helped the Bulldogs to a pair of fourth-place relay finishes. But his talent is in swimming. Next year, he will attend Ball State on an athletic scholarship.

"Oh, I know exactly how Casey is feeling by that big old grin he gets on his face," said Grandville boys coach Spencer Dolloff. "The other kids on the team, they don't always understand what he's had to go through. They are very supportive, but it's not easy to understand. It is cool since Forest Hills Northern got in this league last year. Those two are pretty tight."

Friendship began as youngsters

They've been friends since they were younger, attending a hearing-impaired program at Shawnee Park together. They still share, and even both wear headbands to keep their implants in place while running.

"We both want to show everybody that being deaf does not stop us from doing anything," Hembrough said. "We both always do our best."

Friday, Hembrough's best also included a second-place and a third-place relay finish, as well as fifth-place showing in the 200.

But the boys meet came down to the 1,600 relay. Rockford had enough points entering the finale that if the Rams finished within two places of FHN, they would win.

"This was just a fun meet," said Rockford boys coach Al Korytkowski. "Both teams performed so well."

Megan Gregory contributed 40 points with two individual firsts (long jump and 100) and anchoring two winning relays. Rachel Wittum won the 1,600 and 3,200).

For Forest Hills Central, Katie LaValley won the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the 200 dash. Simon Nyang of Forest Hills Northern took firsts in the 800 and 1,600.Plenty of smiles to go around.

By Jane Bos, Grand Rapids Press