Gator Athletes top standings at state Special Olympics

Posted June 30, 2017 1:00 am

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association submission

The 2017 Gator athletes and coaches who went to the Illinois Special Olympics' annual State Summer Games, from left: coach Jessica Thompson, coach Maureen Nemmer, Bill Fisher, Dianna Mann, Sam Green, Jackie Richardson, Mike Sener, coach Larry Muffet, Thomas Jachtorowycz, coach John Zachary, John Walti, Randy Huffmaster, coach Hailey Haas, Miguel Lara, coach Jerod Mikkelsen and Vicki Shaw. Not pictured: Katie Millar, Bryan Parent and Luke Toussaint. Courtesy of NSSRA

It was a mountaintop weekend for the 13 members of the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association's Gator Athletics teams at Illinois Special Olympics' annual State Summer Games in June. The Gators walked away with a collective 10 gold, 10 silver and five bronze medals, a wildly successful accomplishment at the Illinois Special Olympics State Summer Games.

"Just being at the games is an achievement," said Jerod Mikkelsen, NSSRA Recreation Specialist for Gator Athletics. "To then have such a strong showing is unbelievable. All the hard work during the season and the extra practices postseason definitely paid off. Everyone did amazing."

Ranging in age from 11 to 57, 16 Gator athletes qualified for the June games with 13 competing. Twelve of the 13 athletes placed in one or more of their respective competitions.

The Gators competed in bocce, powerlifting and track-and-field. In order to qualify each athlete was required to win first place at each sport's regional competition.

The powerlifting team performed exceptionally well for the second year in a row, earning 18 of NSSRA's total 25-medal count. The entire seven-member team qualified this year to compete at the Summer Games. Mike Sener of Evanston, new to the team this year, managed to beat his personal record in dead lift and won gold medals in all three of his events.

Thomas Jachtorowycz of Glenview, now a repeat competitor at the games at only 11, won his first gold medal in the 100 meter run, and made his weekend even sweeter by winning bronze in the mini javelin throw.

The team competed hard and cheered their teammates on even harder, and their six coaches were an important part of their inspiring achievements in the gym and on the field.

"The staff that came with us were unbelievable," Mikkelsen said. "They definitely played a huge role in the success of the trip."

One of those staff, Hailey Haas, is NSSRA's Recreation Specialist for Adult Programs.

"With this being my first time at Summer Games, I could not have asked for a better experience," Haas said. "The team's high energy and positive attitude encouraged us all to strive for gold. Each and every participant competing displayed athleticism and teamwork and in their downtime had the best time together, laughing and creating memories. Before the weekend ended, all of our athletes were already discussing their goals for next year."

Gator Athletes 2017 State Summer Games Standings:

Bocce

• Vickilynn Shaw, Highland Park: First place, bocce singles

Powerlifting

• William Fisher, Highland Park: Second place, bench press

• Randy Huffmaster, Highland Park: First place, combination bench and dead lift; second place, dead lift; fourth place, bench press

• Miguel Lara, Highland Park: Second place, dead lift; second place, squat; second place, combination bench and dead lift; fourth place, bench press

• Kathleen Millar, Mundelein: First place, bench press; first place, squat; first place, combination bench and dead lift; second place, dead lift

• Bryan Parent, Wilmette: First place, squat; second place, bench press; second place, combination bench and dead lift; third place, dead lift

• Mike Sener, Evanston: First place, bench press; first place, dead lift; first place, combination bench and dead lift

• John Christian Walti, Libertyville: Third place, bench press; third place, dead lift

Track & Field

• Samuel Green, Winnetka: Second place, 1600 meter run; third place, 800 meter run

• Thomas Jachtorowycz, Glenview: First place, 100 meter run; third place, mini javelin

• Dianna Mann, Highwood: Third place, softball throw; seventh place, 50 meter run

• Jackie Richardson, Highland Park: Third place, 100 meter run

• Luke Toussaint, Glenview: Fifth place, 50 meter run

For more information about NSSRA and the programs and services they provide visit www.nssra.org. For information about Special Olympics Illinois, visit www.soill.org.

Gator Track & Field athlete Sam Green cheers on his teammates. Green won a silver medal in the 1600 meter run and a bronze medal in the 800 meter run. Courtesy of NSSRA

Gator Powerlifters Bill Fisher, John Walti, Randy Huffmaster, Mike Sener, Miguel Lara and Bryan Parent on the field at the Illinois Special Olympics' annual State Summer Games after the opening Parade of Athletes. Courtesy of NSSRA

Gator Powerlifter Katie Millar, center, poses proudly with two of her three gold medals after competition. She won gold medals in her bench press, squat and combination bench and dead lift events, and also took home a silver medal for dead lift. Courtesy of NSSRA

Gator Powerlifter Mike Sener proudly representing Gator Athletics at the State Summer Games. It was Sener's first year competing as a powerlifter, and he won gold in all three of his events: bench press, dead lift and combination bench and dead lift. Courtesy of NSSRA

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