The two Glen Crest Middle School students who competed at the Special Olympics state track and field meet returned home with honors and memories of an incredible event. Isaiah Hayes earned a gold medal in the long jump and a ribbon in the 50-meter run. J.J. Holder earned a ribbon in the softball throw.
Both students competed in the Special Olympics state meet held earlier this month at Illinois State University in Bloomington. The state meet is known as the “Summer Games”, and is considered the premier sports competition for more than 4,000 Illinois athletes competing in six sports. Both Glen Crest athletes qualified for the state meet by finishing first at the May 7 regional qualifier held at the College of DuPage.
CCSD 89 elementary teacher Mike Casmer coached the students at the state meet. He said the event was an incredible celebration. At the opening ceremony, the stadium was filled with athletes, coaches, families, and hundreds of volunteers. Firefighters and police officers lined the stadium and gave high fives to the athletes who were introduced.
“They were thrilled to be there, both of them,” Casmer said. “It was definitely evident that they were having a great time.”
Isaiah and J.J. were part of the first CCSD 89 Special Olympics team. This year, staff members coached and helped sponsor the team by purchasing tie-dye Special Olympics shirts. The athletes’ success has encouraged the District to add Special Olympics teams in soccer and basketball for the 2017-18 school year.
“And it would be awesome to have even more athletes qualifying for state next year,” Casmer said.
Students will receive more information about signing up for or volunteering with the Special Olympics team after the start of the school year.
Read the previous story about the first CCSD 89 Special Olympics team
