Matthew Halbach of Hilbert won big while competing at the Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) 2010 State Summer Games in Stevens Point, June 10-12, 2010.  The rain showers didn't wash away the smiles on nearly 2,000 Special Olympics athletes' faces when Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk kicked off the event with a few words at an indoor dance and autograph session, sponsored by Kwik Trip and Fox Sports Wisconsin, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Quandt Gym.  

Friday morning began with athletics and aquatics competitions, but by mid-morning, the rain clouds returned, forcing cancellations in all sports except swimming. Power lifting, aquatics, and athletics competitions took place on Saturday as scheduled, but soccer players were unable to compete either day due to muddy terrain.

Congratulations to the following athlete:  Matthew Halbach of Chilton, who placed third in both the bench press and dead lift and second in the 2-lift combo.  

Volunteers dressed in rain ponchos and umbrellas manned games and activities in Victory Village and Partners Park, but the lightning clouds forced them to close around noon. The Wal-Mart Healthy Athletes tent was able to offer a limited number of free on-site health care screenings before the weather forced closing that tent as well.

Athletes from around the state qualified for the State Summer Games according to their recent performances at the local, regional or district tournaments. Beyond sports competition, more than 1,000 law enforcement officers from 170 law enforcement agencies took part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run®.  Participants escorted the Flame of Hope™ from all corners of Wisconsin, uniting in Stevens Point to kick off the Summer Games.

 

Three cheers for Green Bay Packer AJ Hawk, the official spokesperson for Special Olympics Wisconsin. Thank you to Kwik Trip and the Law Enforcement Torch Run®, the Mission Partners of Special Olympics Wisconsin. Special Olympics Wisconsin holds five state tournaments and more than 75 competitions per year, providing year-round sports training and competition opportunities for nearly 10,000 individuals with cognitive disabilities. For more information, visit www.specialolympicswisconsin.org or call (800) 552-1324.