Special Olympics State Games
by Barb Quaintance
Picture thirty-two excited Misericordia athletes boarding a bus headed to the Special Olympics state games at Illinois State University. There, they joined almost four thousand athletes from across the state to participate in a variety of summer sports.
Any Misericordia athlete who won a gold medal in the Special Olympics regional games qualified for state. They included residents from the CILAs, Mercy Glen, the Village and Shannon. The Mis’ athletes competed in swimming, track and field, powerlifting and soccer. Many of the athletes had participated in state games before, but some new residents joined in the fun. Athletes could participate in one sport, whether that was part of a team (e.g. relay team, soccer) or in individual skills events (e.g. powerlifting).
The athletes and their fourteen staff chaperones left for Bloomington on Friday morning, June 20. They registered, settled into the ISU dorms and got ready for their events. There were some track events on Friday, followed by opening ceremonies that evening—including three Mis residents who performed on the circus wheel! Saturday saw swimming and soccer events but, due to the extreme heat, the afternoon track and field events were cancelled. The athletes weren’t too disappointed because it gave them more time for socializing. Sunday morning including power lifting and swimming. To say that the athletes were tired but happy and excited on their trip back to Misericordia would be an understatement.
The Mis athletes are already looking forward to the next games, including tennis, golf, bowling, floor hockey, volleyball, snowshoeing, basketball and flag football.
The Special Olympics experience is best summarized by Miz athletes:
Stacy: I loved competing in swimming!
Jane: I loved competing in the 100 meter walk! I won a 5th place ribbon!
Carly: I did my best in the 50 meter run. It was HOT!
Patrick: I competed in soccer as the goalie and got a Gold medal! It was awesome!
Michael: It was a good experience, and I’d like to dedicate it to Sr. Rosemary! I
like to see Mary Ann smile when she sees my medal!
Lauren: I liked when I did the softball throw, the opening ceremony and when I danced on Saturday night!
Bobby: Being in the Summer Special Olympics made me feel very excited! I love being part of a team!
Many thanks to staff organizer, Gail Wojciechowski, for leading the Mis’ Special Olympics team all year long, as well as other wonderful coaches and staff—Tessa, Jim, Frankie, Kevin, Mary Ann and Kristin. They made the state games such a remarkable experience for all the athletes!
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