Big Wins and Bigger Smiles: Decorah Special Olympics and Unified Champions Shine This Week

Without local news, all we have are rumors. Keep facts alive — give now. DECORAH — Decorah Middle and High School Special Olympics athletes traveled to Cedar Falls on March 8 to compete in the Northeast Iowa Regional Track and Field competition. Athletes competed in events including shot put, softball throw, tennis ball throw, the 100-meter dash and the 50-meter dash. Decorah High School sophomore Emily Green represented Decorah during the opening ceremony as a torchbearer. Decorah Middle School athletes earned several honors. Johnathan Bean placed first in the 100-meter dash and shot put. Aiden Farley took first in the 50-meter dash and second in the softball throw. Sky Pasche finished first in both the 50-meter dash and softball throw, while Kowa Pitz placed second in the 50-meter dash and first in the softball throw. Decorah High School participants also came out with wins. Donnie Hrdlicka placed third in the 30-meter dash and second in shot put. John Lippe finished fifth in the 50-meter dash and first in shot put. Braden Ramstad placed fourth in the 50-meter dash and first in shot put. Makenzy Hope took third in the 50-meter dash and first in shot put. Emily Green placed second in the 50-meter dash and first in shot put. Shay Munkel-Sanders finished fourth in the 50-meter dash and first in shot put. Daniel Bean placed first in both the 100-meter dash and shot put. Luke Thompson took second in the 50-meter dash and third in the softball throw. Kamryn Leuenberger placed second in the 50-meter "Walk With Me" race and first in the tennis ball throw. On March 12, the Decorah High School Unified Champions basketball team traveled to Des Moines to compete in a halftime game during the boys state basketball championships for the second consecutive year. Unified Champions basketball brings together students of varying abilities to compete in team events. The Decorah team played a group from Spirit Lake, falling 10-8 in a close game. Despite the loss, the team finished with a strong sense of excitement and pride. The Special Olympics season has concluded for Decorah Schools. The Unified Champions group is planning additional intrasquad relays during high school track meets and halftime games at home soccer matches. Both groups will next participate in a Polar Plunge fundraiser scheduled for May 14 at Decorah High School. Your weekly dose of local life! Subscribe to the free newsletter and enjoy news, analysis, and stories you'll actually look forward to reading.