The athletes from Abilities Plus received an official Kewanee and Fire department escort on their way to the Summer Games Special Olympics held last Friday, June 9.
In all, 13 athletes from Abilities Plus attended the games held from June 9-11 in Bloomington at the Illinois State University campus. Originally 14 Abilities Plus athletes qualified at Regionals to attend the state games, but one unfortunately wasn’t able to attend, said Jennifer Prescott, community day services coordinator for the agency.
Athletes competed in events ranging from the softball throw, the 800M walk, the 1500M run and the 800M run, as well as the tennis ball throw, the standing long jump and the mini-javelin.
The Abilities Plus athletes competed for just two of the days on Friday and Saturday and a street dance was held on the last day, said Prescott.
“Our clients stayed in the dorms and it was great,” she said. “It is one of the highlights of their year.”
Prescott said the athletes were also impressed by the Kewanee police and fire send off and were still talking about it at lunch on Tuesday.
The athletes began their training early in April and the Kewanee High School opened up their facility for them to use. In order to attend the state Summer Games, the athletes had to qualify at the regional competition. Twenty Abilities Plus athletes qualified for regionals and at regionals, 14 qualified to go on to the Special Olympics Illinois events.
Isaac Hernandez attended the Summer Games and was awarded first place in the mile, earning him the gold. He received a bronze medal after placing third in the 800M run.
This is Isaac’s second year competing in the games. Last year, he received gold in the 800M and placed fifth in the 400M run. In high school, he competed in cross country for three years.
His father, Tom Hernandez, said he’s not surprised at his son’s performance that day.
“I am very proud of everything Isaac has done. He puts his whole heart in every race he runs.”
The weekend was particularly hot, though, making the day more challenging for the athletes.
“I ran my best,” said Isaac, “and I lost my energy today. I might retire.”
The results for all of the Abilities Plus athletes are:
Alexis Bral – 6th place in the softball throw.
Derick Carlock – 2nd place in the 800M walk.
Cindy Hansen – 4th place in the 100M walk.
Isaac Hernandez – 1st place in the 1500M run and 3rd place in the 800M run.
Andrea Millner -1st place in the 400M walk.
Kelly Mulcahy – 3rd place in the 100M run.
Michael Phelps – 1st place in the mini-javelin.
Erik Sierra – 5th place in the 800M run and 4th place in the mini javelin.
Morgan Thorp – 1st place in the 400M run.
Erin Trostle – 1st place in the tennis ball throw.
Amanda Trowbridge – 2nd place in the tennis ball throw.
Steven Verstraete – 3rd place in the standing long jump.
Andrew Yarger – 2nd place in the tennis ball throw.
