Two Greene County High School students competed last week at the 31st Special Olympics Iowa Track and Field Summer Games at Iowa State University.

Co-coach Deb Rogers says Nick Walsh received fourth place in the running long jump and fifth in the shot put and Kim Stanek placed third in the shot put.  Both Walsh and Stanek each won their respective age divisions in their events at the district competition and qualified for the state contest.  She states that they offer shot put, standing and running long jump, meter running and dashes, softball throw and mini javelin for their program.

Rogers points out that the students learn how to compete with other students with the same skill abilities and it allows them to see how other events are done that they may be interested in doing in the future.  Because the competition was tough this year, Rogers adds, it was also a great opportunity to teach her students the value of practicing.  Her students told her that if they practiced more, they would’ve been able to improve their scores.  Rogers says she’s always impressed with the extent that ISU goes to run a smooth event and treat all competitors with respect and make them the important part of their day.

There were 2,600 student-athletes, 1,200 coaches and 2,000 volunteers at the summer games in Ames on May 22nd.  The other coaches include Sue Lansman, Mona Weltz, Jeri Gettler and volunteer Annette Russell.