Special Olympians compete in Northeast Area Track Meet

The Ipswich Tiger Special Olympics track team competed on Friday, May 5 in Milbank at the Northeast Area Track Meet.

"The day was bright and sunny and the team had a great day!" said their teacher Dawn Graham. The team is now 11 athletes, the highest number they have had in years.

Graham said the town of Milbank hosted the track meet and all of us decided it was the most organized, efficient track meet that we have ever been to! There were hundreds of volunteers that put all of this together and their hard work certainly was appreciated by the Tigers. Their lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs that they donated to the team was especially enjoyed! "It was by far a wonderful day all around!" she said.

The team members are: Johnathan Kamps (18-21 year old transition program), Isaiah Goetz (senior), Teagan Cody (senior), Kyle Belle Isle (7th grade), Coy Stager (8th grade), Cash Henderson (8th grade), George Marshall (8th grade), Max Simon (8th grade), Colden Marshall (6th grade), Carter Batiste (4th grade) and Dixie Grace Marshall (2nd grade).

The places in each of the divisions: (the athletes are placed in age/ability divisions)

50 m dash: Johnthan - 2nd place; Teagan - 1st place; Coy - 2nd place; Cash - 2nd place; George - 3rd place; Carter - 1st place; Dixie Grace - 1st place; Colden - 1st place

100 m dash: Isaiah - 2nd place; Kyle - 4th place; Max - 1st place

200 m dash: Isaiah - 4th place; Kyle - 2nd place

Softball throw: Johnathan - 1st place; Teagan - 4th place; Kyle - 1st place; Coy - 2nd place; Cash - 2nd place; George - 3rd place; Max - 1st place; Carter - 3rd place; Dixie Grace - 1st place; Colden - 1st place

Standing long jump: Johnathan - 1st place; Teagan - 3rd place; Coy - 1st place; Cash - 2nd place; George - 2nd place; Max - 2nd place; Carter - 3rd place; Dixie Grace - 1st place; Colden - 2nd place

Running long jump: Isaiah - 1st place

4 X 100 Relay: Relay Team #1: Isaiah, Kyle, Coy and Max - 2nd place

Relay Team #2: Johnathan, Teagan, George and Colden - 1st place

The team thanks the Knights of Columbus for their recent donation. "Due to their generosity, the team has never had to raise funds for uniforms or other expenses. We couldn't be more appreciative of their efforts," Dawn said.