Special Olympians show their skills in Naperville

More than 750 Special Olympics athletes from Dupage, Kane and Kendall counties took to the fields at North Central College in Naperville on Sunday the annual Illinois Special Olympic Area 2/5 Spring Games.

The athletes competed in track and field events, including the softball toss, long jump and running, as well as other events like powerlifting.

The athletes trained for several months preparing for Sunday's competition, said Alexandra McMillin, manager of communications for Special Olympics Illinois.

"It is an incredible outlet to showcase their skills," she said.

The Illinois Special Olympic Areas 2 and 5 have been holding their Spring Games at North Central College in the heart of Naperville for more than a decade.

The event Sunday kicked off with the lighting of the Olympic caldron with a torch brought into the stadium by members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, then handed off to several Special Olympics athletes. The final torch runner, given the honor of lighting the caldron, was Matt Hiltzman of Clare Woods Academy in Wheaton.