Kewanee Abilities Plus athletes return from Special Olympics with medals in tow

Sixteen athletes from Abilities Plus qualified and competed in the State Special Olympic Track and Field Competition held June 17-18 at Illinois State University in Normal

Gold Medal recipients:

• Isaac Hernandez  in the  800 M. Run

• Morgan Thorp in the 400 M. Walk

• Erin Trostle in the Tennis Ball Throw

• Steven Verstraete in the Softball Throw

• Andrew Yarger in the Tennis Ball Throw.

Silver Medal recipients:

• Alexis Bral in the Softball Throw

• Sara Carmichael in the Tennis Ball Throw

• Cindy Hansen in the 100 M. Walk

• Kelly Mulcahy, Abby Thorp, Morgan Thorp and Cindy Hansen in the 4x100 M. Walk Relay.

Chuck Nelson received a Bronze in the 400 M. Walk.  Receiving 4th place ribbons were Alexis Bral in the 100 M. Run, Isaac Hernandez in the 400 M. Run, Derek Neal in the Mini Javelin and Amanda Trowbridge in the Softball Throw.  A 5th place ribbon was received by Rick Palmer in the Softball Throw, and Erick Sierra received a 7th in the 800 M. Run.

Coaches are Tammy & Terry Hand, assisted by Chris Lindsey, Jeff & Laura Heinrich, Lorraine Verstraete and Anna Carmichael, along with staff members Eve Neirynck & Jackie Houser. Many family members also helped, contributing to this year’s success.

This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Abilities Plus athletes return from Special Olympics with medals in tow