148 special needs athletes to compete in the 35th annual swim meet Saturday

The Fox Valley Special Recreation Association is hosting its 35th annual swim meet from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Norris Recreation Center in St. Charles.

A total of 148 athletes with disabilities from 10 teams will be swimming to help push their team toward winning the first-place trophy.

Last year, FVSRA placed second to the Stars Swim Team from Libertyville. Its first-year Special Olympics swim coach, Kacie Jankowski, told her 30 swimmers that she is confident that they have a chance to place first this year.

"We have some great athletes," said Jankowski, "and I expect them to do great on Saturday."

FVSRA athletes are using the meet as a warm-up for the Special Olympics District Meet on March 3, 2016, at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville.

Swimmers that place first at the District level will qualify for the chance to swim for a gold medal at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games held June 10-12, 2016 at Illinois State University.

According to FVSRA Athletics Coordinator, Rachel Kuchta, the staff and athletes are ready for the annual meet.

"I am thankful to the staff from the Norris Recreation Center and FVSRA as well as the students from St. Charles North and East Swim Teams and Aurora University that will be serving as volunteers at this year's meet," said Kuchta.

FVSRA offers year-round recreation programing throughout their member park districts - St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Fox Valley, Oswegoland, Sugar Grove as well as South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department.

Visit FVSRA.org for additional information on programs and volunteer opportunities. Like FVSRA on Facebook at Facebook.com/FVSRA and follow FVSRA on Twitter at Twitter.com/FVSRA.