Special Olympics

Track and Field 2008

by Jill Neeley

May 08, 2008

On Friday, April 18, 2008, eighteen Lewis Central High School students competed in the Southwest Iowa track and field tournament at Iowa Western Community College. Lewis Central students are part of the Southwest district, which includes schools from Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont counties. The Special Olympics athletes participated in 50 meter dash, standing long jump, softball throw, 30 meter wheelchair race, tennis ball throw and shot-put. The tournament started at 10 A.M. with the opening pledge, said by all participants: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Lewis Central High School students had 11 first place finishes! Those athletes will participate in the State Track meet in Ames on Friday, May 23, 2008.

Giving it their best!

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It gives them the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.

The competition continued through 2:00 p.m.

Jessica Bogacz
Aaron Fish                   First place in Softball throw
Richard Fish                 First place in Softball throw
Brandon Gill
Janet Leafty
Ben Mouw
Tylor Mueller                First place in 50 meter dash
James Neeson              First place in Softball throw
Matt Pedersen             First place in Shotput
Peyton Poast                First place in 30M Race Motorized
Jordan Quick                First place in 50 meter dash and softball throw
Heather Robertson
Dillon Sterba
Erik Warren                 First place in Tennis Ball Throw

To see more pictures, please click on the slideshow. Special Olympics Track and Field 2008