Stelbrink earns 1st place as Jersey Panthers compete in State Special Olympics
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Steven Spencer/River County News
Steven Spencer/River County News
Steven Spencer/River County News
By Steven Spencer
The Jersey community gathered at Jersey Community High School Friday, June 12, to send off the Panthers as they headed to ISU for the Special Olympic State Competition.
After their hard work and preparation for the regional competition paid off, Bella Stamper, Carly Stelbrink, Natalie Steiner and Wyatt Perry all qualified to compete at State.
“State, here we come,” Special Olympics Coach and Coordinator Rachel Cox said. “This team has poured their hearts into every practice and meet this season. Seeing their hard work pay off with a trip to the State competition is an absolute honor as a coach/coordinator. Let’s bring home the gold! Going to State isn’t just about the competition; it’s a celebration of the dedication, joy, and pure determination these athletes bring to the track. They’ve proven themselves as true champions already, and we can’t wait to cheer them on at the highest level!”
Coaches Kim Mitchell and Maddie Brown said it’s great to see the athletes achieve so much and see the program grow at the school.
“From our first practice placing at regionals, to our first State competition, we’ve already achieved something special: proving that hard work, teamwork, and heart can take us farther than we ever imagined. Jerseyville, we’re just getting started,” Mitchell said.
“I am so proud of these brave students for participating in Special Olympics track and basketball this school year,” Brown said. “They have been confident showing their skills in front of large crowds and have had a blast doing it. I have to give a shoutout to Rachel Cox. She has put in countless hours and passion to get Special Olympics at Jersey 100 going again! It has been so much fun to coach these students and I can’t wait to see all that they accomplish.”
The hard work of the student athletes and coaches certainly haven’t gone unnoticed with a large crowd gathering to cheer and send them off to State as the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office provided a police escort from campus.
Coach Cox said the weekend was amazing and the athletes did an awesome job.
Carly Stelbrink earned 1st place in the softball throw and fourth in the 50M run. Wyatt Perry earned 2nd place in the softball throw, and Natalie Steiner earned 2nd place in the softball throw and 3rd in the 100 M run.
“The resurgence of our Special Olympics programs this year has been incredible to see. Rachel Cox, Maddie Brown, and Kim Mitchell have brought so much excitement to JCHS and our community. Our athletes are awesome and have worked so hard, I can’t wait to see what they do at the state meet,” JCHS Principal Thomas Leslie added.
