Eight local Special Olympic athletes bring home 12 awards from Illinois Summer Games

[June 27, 2022]   LINCOLN - Several local athletes joined over 2,000 participants competing in the Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games. The annual games were held at Illinois State University Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19.

The Special Olympics of Illinois website says “Summer Games is one of 13 state level sports competitions. It is the championship level competition for athletics.

Among the competitors at the Illinois Summer Games were seven local Special Olympic athletes who represented the Lincoln Park District.

In May, each of these athletes participated in the Regional Special Olympics tournament. Winning a gold medal at that tournament earned them a spot in the summer games. Their coaches are Tracy Ewins, Cari Johnson and Debi Haseley.

These athletes had first through fourth place finishes in several events bringing home a total of 12 awards between them.

Award winners: (all local Olympians in maroon shirts)

Claire Ewins had a first-place finish in the Standing long jump and received fourth place in the 200-meter run.

Dawn Mason placed third in the 200-meter run.



Jan Finn placed third in the 100-meter run and fourth in the mini-Javelin.

Jean Finn placed third in the standing long jump.



Abby Spinner place second in the running long jump and third in the 100-meter run.



Sally Spear placed first in the standing long jump.

Wyatt Wilkerson placed fourth in the 50-meter run.

Mark Rahn placed third in shot put and fourth in the 100-meter run.

MORE PHOTOS

Third place medalist Jean Finn preparing for her long jump.

Athletes show excitement over winning medals.

Award winners at the Illinois Summer Games.

Getting ready.

Local athlete doing long jump.

More local athletes.

Preparing for the long jump.

Running in one of the races.

Ewins said, “These athletes have worked hard for months getting ready for track. All of them placed well at the Regional games to make it to theses State Game. With so many athletes at the State Games, these athletes placing so high shows their hard work. They did a tremendous job representing Lincoln.”

[Angela Reiners with photos provided by Tracy Ewins]