Special Olympics of Illinois athletes are back in the pool

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After a pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Special Olympics of Illinois (SOILL) has begun hosting events once again. On April 2, SOILL swimmers arrived at the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center to participate in a variety of events. Athletes represented different teams from across the region and competed in individual and team swims.

Judi Sturgell, coach for the Decatur Dream Catchers, said, “It was very good to be back in the water and competing.”

Judi’s son, Ryan, swims for the Dream Catchers and won the gold in the 50-meter freestyle event. Ryan also captured silver in the 25-meter butterfly. The Dream Catchers dominated in the women’s 25-meter backstroke with Alana Sanders’s gold medal and the men’s 50-meter backstroke with Paul Harpstrite also winning gold.

“It sure was great to be back in the pool,” said Katie Van Cleve, swim coach for the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) out of Peoria. “What a great event.”

HISRA athletes won the women’s 4 x 25-meter medley relay with Alina Hollis and Margaret Hollis helping to bring back the gold. Chase McHenry won the men’s 100-meter freestyle for HISRA.

Gold medal winners are eligible for the state championships to be held this month in Normal, Ill.

One of the oldest sports in the Special Olympics, swimming was included in the first international Special Olympics competition held in Chicago in 1968. For more information on SOILL, visit https://soill.org.

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