Special Olympics Students Win at State Again

Community High School District 128’s Special Olympics team won 16 medals at the Illinois summer games in Bloomington. They spent months – in school and out of school – preparing for the event.

Three students also recently qualified to compete in sectionals for the winter games, which will be held in November in Rockford.

Special Olympics focuses on what the athletes can do. This year’s D128 team is skilled, and 12 of the 17 members qualified for state events in at least two sports. Summer sports include aquatics, track and field, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting and soccer.

State medals included four gold and two silver medals in swimming, track and bocce.

“Everybody won a medal,” said their coach, Andy Compton, a driver’s education instructor at Vernon Hills High School. 

Compton started the program in 2000, when he was asked to teach an integrated physical education class in the district. He wasn’t sure what to include and attended a program at Palatine High School, where he met instructors involved in Special Olympics. They told him the gym class should be aligned with the sports in Special Olympics.    

From there, it was easy to create the district’s first Special Olympics team.

The program began with five athletes, two of whom qualified for state competition in the program’s first year. The program has had as many as 19 students, he said. Bocce, basketball and floor hockey are favorite sports among team members.

“This is what sports and competition should be,” said Compton as he watched his team bowling at Hawthorn Lanes. “They don’t complain, they always have a smile, they congratulate the winner with hugs and they remain friends.”

Assistant coach Jim Rogers joined the program in 2001.  

“People gave to me, and I wanted to give back,” he said. He had Reye’s syndrome when he was a child, and needed extra help from the people around him as he grew up. 

Rogers has an affectionate rapport with the team. “Today is Bobby’s last day, and I’m going to miss him,” he said, tears welling in his eyes.

The team has similar feelings for their coaches. “They’re amazing. We tease and joke around. They do a good job with the athletes. It warms my heart,” said Anne Jennings, a 20-year-old member of the team.

Compton, Rogers, and several members of the team attended May’s school board meeting to thank board members for their support. Many of the students wore their medals.

Ellie Goldberg’s mom, Susan, also thanked the board. She said that Ellie couldn’t walk for many years and through therapy was finally able to. When Ellie won her first medal for running in a track competition, she cried. “I hope you realize what a resource we have in our coaches,” she said.

Seven athletes joined the team this year, said coach Andy Compton. Many team members qualified for the winter games in Galena, but the tournament was canceled because of the blizzard.

Students on the District 128 team must attend or Vernon Hills High School, or be in a transition program in the district.

For more information on Special Olympics in Illinois, visit their website: www.specialolympics.org.