(Portions of this story courtesy of
KXII.com)
SHERMAN, Texas -- Claps and smiles are filled Austin
College's gym this past Thursday morning as local disabled students
competed in a Special Olympics individual skills competition.
Video from KXII.com
Participants from Sherman, Denison, Whitesboro, Pottsboro and other surrounding schools were dribbling, shooting and showing their skills to have some fun and get a medal.
Austin College student athletes and volunteers said this is as rewarding to them as it is to the young participants.
"Sometimes we get in our little college bubble and don't really go outside so now this has given us the opportunity to be a part of the community we now are a part of," Austin College student volunteer Kayla Farrar said.
More than 200 Austin College students and athlete participants
participated in Thursday's event.
In addition, in an announcement made yesterday, the Austin College
Special Olympics event referenced above was nominated for this
month’s NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight
Poll.
The NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll is a
story-telling initiative located on ncaa.org/D3SpecialOlympics. It features three new
stories per month – each highlighting a Division III and
Special Olympics joint activity or event.
The story with the highest number of votes on February 25 will be
declared the winner. The poll will close at 5 p.m. ET. The winning
institution or conference will be given $500 to use for its next
Special Olympics event. Other perks for winning include being
recognized in the Division III Monthly Newsletter and on the
Division III Special Olympics website.
Featured stories are selected based on inclusion of the
student-athlete perspective and Division III messaging.
