Storm Special Olympics Team marked a busy 2024-25 athletics campaign, consisting of bowling in early fall, basketball and cheerleading last winter, then finishing with track and field in the spring.
The athletic seasons began with bowling balls rumbling down hardwood lanes last September, gained momentum with strong showings by Storm Team members at State basketball and cheerleading last winter, then surged across the finish line in early June with the anchor of the 4x100 meter relay team at the state track and field championships.
All total, Storm Special Olympics was represented by 57 athletes competing in at least one sport; exceeding last year’s total participation number by 13 athletes. And the team’s geographic reach expanded beyond Barton County this year, bringing in athletes from Pawnee and Stafford counties. Participation numbers have progressively increased over the last several years, since the program took two years off from 2020-21 because of the COVID Pandemic.
“To watch participation climb is motivation for us coaches and volunteers,” said Storm Local Program Coordinator Amanda Hammond. “It lets us know we are doing things right. More than medals, we strive to create a fun and inclusive program where our athletes take pride in participation. I feel like we are moving in the right direction, especially with our numbers increasing so much over the past few years.”
During its most recent season last spring, 35 athletes competed in track and field. Thirty-three Storm athletes competed in the Summer Games June 6-8 at Maize High School in activities ranging from field events like long jump, softball throw and turbo javelin, to walking and running events. Storm athletes competing in state track were: Kaleb Beckham, James Boehnke, Tammy Boele, Darren Brown, Michael Burress, Sarah Burrill, Chris Devine, David Edwardson, Auggie Estrella, Logan Gregg, Roger Guthals, DJ Johnson, Audrey Koester, Austin Levingston, Donnie Lewis, Rian Lewis, Ronnie Lewis, Michael Manka, Beth Mattocks, Rita Mestas, Cole Morin, Kaleb Nixon, Trace Ritterhouse, Cierra Roberts, Tori Rose, Curtis Schneweis, Elisa Shores, Steve Smolik, Abbey Stanley, Josh Trimmer, Debbie Wasinger, Wain Waymaster, and Jim Wonsetler.
The spring season started just mere days after Storm’s participation in the state basketball tournament and cheerleading championships in Hays. The spring season wasn’t without challenges. Inclement weather and a scheduling conflict for the practice facility meant that Storm Team missed two weeks of practices. Then, inclement weather in late April caused cancelation of the regional meet. Rainy weather leading up to the state meet meant that some events were delayed or moved, and shot put at the state meet was cancelled because of soggy field conditions. However, none of that deterred Storm athletes from giving their best efforts and recording stellar performances at the state championships.
“Certainly, we had to overcome adversity this year,” explained Hammond. “Going out there with the chaos of the season, with the chaos of weather, with the chaos of competing among 1,000 other athletes, Storm athletes did exceptionally well and they took everything in stride. They were proud of themselves for how they did and achieving their own personal bests, in many cases. They put in the work needed to improve during the season, and by the end of the season, they could see the outcome. It may not be that they always got first place, but most of them improved from where they were at the start of the year.”
During the meet, Hammond said anxiety set in for some of the athletes because of schedule changes, but she credited the coaching staff of Bri Saunders, Emily Komarek, Andrew Rush, and Denice Whetham for helping to bring order and calm to the evolving situations. She also credited volunteers Jim Boehnke, Carole Edwardson, and Boe Levingston, along with attending family members and staffing of Storm Athletes for providing invaluable help during the three-day event.
“The athletes really trusted our coaches and our coaches did such a tremendous job with the time-and-location changes to get our athletes where they needed to be,” said Hammond. Beyond coaches’ efforts, we benefited with help from athletes’ family members, along with staff during the three-day event. It really does take a village to have so many athletes participating in a meet that lasts several days. We are so fortunate to have their support.”
A Storm Team highlight of the Summer Games happened during the opening ceremony on June 6 when Hammond read the “Coaches Oath” to attendees. She earned the honor by being recognized as “Coach of the Year” by Special Olympics Kansas last winter. Additionally, James Boehnke represented Storm athletes during the “Walk of Champions” to open the Summer Games.
Following the hustle and bustle of the successful track meet, it was a quiet ride back to Great Bend for the team. For many, the end of track season marked nine months of practice and competition.
“At the end of track, I think they were ready for a summer break,” said Hammond, who has coached Storm Team for 15 years. ”But, then, they’ll be eager to get back into it, starting with bowling in September. The start of a new season always brings excitement.”
