Special Olympics Spring Games return to Naperville

Tyler Nowak’s an old pro at the Special Olympics Spring Games, and he’s got a gold medal to prove it.

But having the medal isn’t necessarily enough to calm the nerves he’s feeling as he prepares for Sunday’s annual event in Naperville.

Nowak, 20, of Naperville is one of more than 700 athletes from DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, Will and suburban Cook counties participating in the track and field and power lifting events at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

A 12-year veteran of the games, Nowak has competed in basketball and several track events. Sunday he will tackle the 100- and 200-meter runs and defend his 2010 gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay.

“The relay is my favorite because I can run with my teammates and try to win,” Nowak said Wednesday. “It’s fun to be with my friends, but I may be nervous when the games start.”

Sunday’s events begin at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies that include all of the teams marching into the stadium, escorted by law enforcement officers carrying the Flame of Hope.

Then the games take center stage with competitions in 50-, 100-, 200-, 400-, 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs; standing and running long jumps; shot put; tennis and softball throw; high jump; walk races; wheelchair competitions; and assisted races.

The powerlifting competition takes place in the neighboring Merner Fieldhouse.

Amy Kaylor, the Special Olympics regional manager of sports and competition, said the wide range of events provides a variety of opportunities for athletes to succeed.

Because track and field is less skills-specific than other Special Olympics sports such as basketball, Kaylor said many more athletes are able to get involved.

“We have something for everyone to excel at, and some of our athletes will participate in more than one sport,” Kaylor said. “And when they’re not competing they’re cheering on their friends, teammates and classmates who are.”

Athletes, such as Nowak, have been training for a minimum of eight weeks and compete in divisions according to capability level.

“I’m a good runner but practice is easy and makes me better,” Nowak said.

Gold medal winners are eligible to advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games June 10-12 at Illinois State University.

Special Olympics Illinois, a not-for-profit organization, offers year-round training and competition in 19 different sports for more than 20,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. It provides the same for an additional 4,000 children ages 2 to 7 with and without intellectual disabilities.

Programs empower people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in life and sports, according to the group’s mission statement.

For information about Special Olympics or the spring games, call (630) 377-7250 or visit soill.org.

If you go

If you go

What: Special Olympics Spring Games

When: Opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 1

Where: North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, 455 S. Brainard St., Naperville

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 377-7250 or soill.org