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March 27, 2024

A member of the Huntley Hurricanes Special Olympics squad runs at a practice.
Photo provided.
A member of the Huntley Hurricanes Special Olympics squad runs at a practice.

Features, Sports • March 27, 2024

Hurricanes enjoy Special Olympics spring

By

HUNTLEY — The Huntley Community School District 158 Special Olympics team has enjoyed its first season, with an area event, a Huntley fun run as well as area Special Olympics Illinois track and field meet.

Head coach Carly Smith said the Hurricanes are comprised of eight athletes in grades six through eight with various disabilities.

The group will be at the Huntley Don’t Be Fooled – By a Disability Special Olympics Illinois event fundraiser hosted by Huntley Police Department April 6. Also, they will be competing at the Special Olympics Region B track meet April 13-14 at Mount Prospect. At the regional they will compete in the 50-meter run, 100-meter run, and softball throw.

“The idea for the team was presented by a parent at a Huntley Community School District 158 Board of Education meeting,” Smith said. “The district thought it was a great idea. The Special Services Administrators Kari Breese, Jackie Allen, Teresa Brandt and Crystal Miguel started the team from the ground up. This spring we started by offering participation at only the middle school levels, Marlowe and Heineman.”

Smith, who is a speech language pathologist at Marlowe, is the head coach. She has served as Marlowe Middle School track and field coach for six years. Jennifer Slad, who has volunteered for Special Olympics Illinois, is the assistant. Slad works at Martin Elementary School as a Special Education Teacher.

There are many benefits of participating for Hurricanes team members.

“The participants are receiving a hands-on experience commensurate to the offerings of their same-aged peers, however, with modifications and adaptations to meet their individual needs,” Smith said. “I aim to make practices similar to the rigors of a traditional sport while keeping things light and fun. They are getting invaluable experience on working together as a team, sportsmanship, friendship building and the ability to tap into their competitive side.”

On March 10, the Hurricanes took to the water at Crystal Lake’s Main Beach for the Polar Plunge. The event was enjoyable for the Huntley contingent. Smith said that the Hurricanes raised about $3,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. “We had a blast doing it,” she said.

“The team is excited for the opportunity to participate in our Huntley community event, the “Don’t Be Fooled – By a Disability” 5k run benefiting Special Olympics Illinois through the Law Enforcement Torch Run,” Smith said. “We will have a few athletes participating in the run-walk and a few volunteering at water stations on the course. Our team will be honored by lighting the torch at the opening ceremony alongside other local Special Olympics athletes.”

“We appreciate the support from our district and community,” Smith concluded.