On Saturday, March 10, two groups of MCHS students traveled to Iowa City to compete in the state competition for Special Olympics for both basketball and unified cheerleading. Before this competition, MCHS held its third annual Special Olympics assembly to showcase the teams heading off to state and to present seniors with their varsity letters. MCHS was the first high school to hold a specific assembly for this event, run by the Best Buddies club.
The cheer team consisted of both general education students and special education students forming a unified team. MCHS started competing in the unified category only two years ago and has been successful every year. The cheer members this year were: Lucy Roberts, Kinzie Johanns, Bailey Erickson, Katie Lorence, Sydney Sullivan, Candie Eliason, Lauren Lunning, Izzy Day, Emily Lunning, Emma Stiles and Marissa Pope. The cheer team was coached by students Emily Lunning and Marissa Pope. The cheer team graciously earned first place gold medals to bring home, along with huge smiles to top it off.
The MCHS Special Olympics basketball team consisted of only Special Olympics athletes this year. The members of the basketball team participating at state were: Dalton LaCombe, Kyren Harris, Chandler Ott, and Tyler Bell. They were coached by Dawn Hensley, Pete Jean Pierre, and Kathy Hudson. MCHS is very proud to say the basketball team also received first place gold medals to bring home, meaning all events taken to State this year were awarded first place. Congratulations to all of the athletes and coaches!