Special Olympics Wisconsin News

In September, six golfers will represent Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) at the annual Special Olympics National Invitational Golf Tournament (NIT)! The NIT will be held at the Wigwam Resort in Glendale, Arizona on September 6-9, 2012 (Thursday – Sunday).

Runners and walkers from all across Wisconsin will unite at the 30th annual Leader-Telegram Buckshot Run in Eau Claire on Saturday, September 1, 2012. This event typically draws around 1,500 people and this year, race leaders will honor eight runners who have a perfect attendance record!

Join truckers, law enforcement and Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes to help make this year’s 8th Annual World’s Largest Truck Convoy® the most successful Convoy yet!

After a wonderful Opening Ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary or Special Olympics Wisconsin, spirits stayed sky high into Friday during athletics, soccer, and aquatics events as fans cheered loudly with items borrowed from the Family and Friends table.

The Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) State Outdoor Sports Tournament kicked off on Friday, August 3rd when a parade of athletes filed into the Opening Ceremony. WQOW news anchor, Aaron Rhody, addressed the crowd of nearly 1,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers. SOWI Athlete Peter Chumas beautifully sang the National Anthem as American Veterans brought in the colors before SOWI athlete, Nicole Brunner, recited the athlete oath. The tournament officially began when SOWI athlete, Dana Yancy, accompanied by Eau Claire Police Officer Kyle Roder, ran with the Flame of Hope™ and lit the cauldron.

On 17 August 2012, Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athlete David Thompson will take on his fear of heights and go Over the Edge of The Tenney Building to show his support for the organization that he loves so much.

Deputy Lori Casper of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run^® (LETR) for 10 years, but her extensive involvement with Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) doesn’t begin or end there. Casper has volunteered as a coach for basketball, bowling, track and field, basketball skills and bocce for the Oregon Special Olympics agency during that time, in addition to her greatest role, mother of Special Olympics athlete Jake Casper.

A Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) multisport athlete of 20 years, Eric Yerges will take on a whole new challenge by taking the Ultimate Lambeau Leap on August 8, 2012.

This year’s Indoor Sports Tournament was attended by a great group of fans who were ready to show off their team spirit. From posters to pom-poms, t-shirts to face paint, these sports nuts were ready to support their athletes who had worked so hard to make it to the State Games.

Marshall police officer Dan Schuster will, for the first time, go Over the Edge when he rappels off the side of the Tenney Building in Madison on August 17. Being a fan of extreme sports, Officer Schuster will surely meet his desire to have an experience “like no other” as he rappels down the side of this tall building.