Multiple students represented the Allen County School District at the Kentucky State Special Olympics held recently at Eastern Kentucky University. The students competed in aquatics, track and field events, and art.
In the water, the Patriot Pacers Aquatics team had several strong performances. Matthew Arnold won a gold medal in the 25-yard backstroke and a fourth place in the 25y freestyle. Austin Green took home a gold medal in the 25y transitional freestyle and a silver medal in the 25y transitional backstroke. Wesley Jones earned a silver medal in the 100y freestyle and the 100y backstroke. J.T. Saylors won gold in the 25y transitional freestyle and bronze medal in the 25y transitional backstroke. Jacob Strode captured a gold medal in the 25y transitional freestyle and a silver medal in the 25y backstroke. Seth Tollefson had a bronze medal in the 50y backstroke and in the 50y freestyle. Dawson Wolfe earned a silver medal in the 25y transitional freestyle and a gold medal in the 25y transitional backstroke. Zayne Logsdon (Independent) also won a gold medal in the 50y freestyle and the 50y backstroke.
Overall, AC-S swimmers won five gold medals, five silver medals, three bronze medals and a fourth place. Patriot Pacers coaches are Brian Atnip, Brittany Atnip, Tracy Butler, John Farris, Chris Jones, Melissa Turner, Kelley Wanta, Verna Williamsm, and Ada Beth Wolfe.
In track and field events, Amy Butrum won a silver medal in the 50m dash and was fourth in the softball throw. Mark Anthony Gonzalez brought home gold in the 50m walk and a silver medal in softball throw. Holly Grizzle captured a bronze medal in the 50m dash and a silver medal in softball throw. Brittany Gunter won a silver medal in the 100m dash and a gold medal in softball throw. Abby Law had a fifth place in the softball throw. Misty McClusky was sixth in softball throw and a 100m dash participant. Emilie Shelby captured a gold medal in the 50m dash and a silver medal in softball throw. Ciera Smalling had a gold medal in the softball throw and a silver medal in the standing long jump. Colton Woods placed fourth in the shot put and participated in the standing long jump. Jon Collado (Independent) took home a bronze medal in the 50m dash and a silver medal in the shot put. Tiffany Foster (Independent) earned a gold medal in the object transfer and a fourth in distance ball roll (wheelchair).
Track and Field coaches were Emily Adams, Ruthane Blankenship, Beverly Gregory, Julie Johnson, Kacy Luttrell, Laura Rector, Pat Witcher, Leann Thomas, Morgan Thomason, Keith Brown, and Cindy Brown.
In Art, first place winners were Sophia Alford, Shawn Brown, Amy Butrum, J.J. Frost, Austin Green, Wesley Jones, Emilie Shelby, Jena Shelby, Paul Michael Stilton, Seth Tollefson, Dawson Wolfe, and Jacob Waters. Second place winners included Kloey Burchett, Trey Helmes, Nick Mandrell, Misty McClusky, Jordyn Snodgrass, Kevin West, and Colton Woods.
Art third place winners were Lucy Celsor, Piper Kadwell, Audrey Moore, Summer Rippy, and Ciera Smalling. Fourth place honors went to Jasmine Cowles, Anna Hairston, Josh Hester, and Landen Scott. Fifth place winners included Mark Anthony Gonzalez and Jacob Strode. A sixth place art winner was J.T. Saylors with Xavier Wooten earning a seventh place award. Matthew Arnold, Willie Guess, Brittany Gunter and Tre Morris also participated in the art competition.