Winnetkans qualify for Special Olympics state games | The Winnetka Current
On May 3, 12 Gator athletes of the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association achieved the accomplishment of qualifying for the Special Olympics Illinois State games later this summer.
NSSRA’s team of athletes competed in several track events at the Special Olympics District Track meet, including several varying meter runs, a 4×100 meter relay, shotput and the softball throw. Held in Lake Zurich, the meet was part of the Illinois Area Spring Games, and athletes were required to train for at least eight weeks in order to participate. NSSRA’s track team consists of Maddy Gillespie, Sam Green, Mikey Hull, Megan Langner, Katie Livingston, Diana Mann, Sam Mitchell, Jackie Richardson, Alison Shapiro, Luke Toussaint and John Wrenn.
Each Gator athlete worked hard to compete in peak form that Sunday, and their hard work paid off when they walked away with 15 gold medals between them, and the chance to compete in the 2015 Summer Games at Illinois State University this June.
Nearly half of the team — Maddy, Sam, Alison, Luke and John — will be competing at state for the first time. Not only did the Gators win big, but each athlete also achieved a personal best in one or more of their events.
Results
Maddy Gillespie
1st, 100 meter run; 1st 4×100 meter relay*; 4th, softball throw
Sam Green, Winnetka
1st, 3000 meter run; 2nd, 4×100 meter relay*
Mikey Hull
1st, 1500 meter run; 2nd, 4×100 meter relay*
Megan Langner
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 3rd, 100 meter run; 5th, softball throw
Miguel Lara
1st, shot put; 2nd, 4×100 meter relay*; 3rd, 100 meter run
Katie Livingston, Winnetka
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 2nd, 100 meter run; 6th, softball throw
Diana Mann
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 1st, 50 meter run*; 3rd, softball throw
Sam Mitchell
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 1st, shot put*; 2nd, 100 meter run*
Jackie Richardson
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 2nd, 100 meter run*; 2nd, softball throw
Alison Shapiro
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 3rd, 100 meter run*; 5th, softball throw
Luke Touissant
1st, 4×100 meter relay*; 2nd, 100 meter run
John Wrenn
1st, pentathlon*; 2nd, 4×100 meter relay
*Denotes personal best