R-II Students Qualify For State In Special Olympics

Student-athletes from the Ste. Genevieve R-II School District participated in the Southeast Missouri Special Olympic Games on April 6 at the Southeast Missouri University Recreation Center.

This was the second year that Ste. Genevieve R-II students attended the event, and it was the second year that the team qualified for state.

“If you’ve never been to a Special Olympics game, I highly recommend it,” Special Olympics teacher and coach Kristi Cleghorn said. “It will restore your faith in humanity, and reminds you of all of the good things in the world. So many people work hard to make these events happen. The athletes, the volunteers, the coordinators, the families, and so many more. We’re so lucky to be able to participate in these local events and to have so much support to get us there.”

The event was for students ages 8 and up, and about 400 athletes participated.

Every Ste. Genevieve R-II student qualified for state:

Long Jump — Kailey Grant, first place, fifth grade; Rihanna Gretzmacher, second place, fourth grade; Ona Lightle, first place, seventh grade; Andrew Marzuco, first place, 11th grade; Braden Schott, second place, ninth grade; Lena Wallman, third place, eighth grade.

Softball — Kailey Grant, first place, fifth grade; Rihanna Gretzmacher, second place, fourth grade; Ona Lightle, second place, seventh grade; Andrew Marzuco, third place, 11th grade; Braden Schott, second place, ninth grade; Lena Wallman, third place, eighth grade.

Tennis Ball Throw — August Rottler, first place, 11th grade.

25 Meters — August Rottler, first place, 11th grade.

50 Meters — Braden Schott, second place, ninth grade; Lena Wallman, second place, eighth grade.

100 Meters — Kailey Grant, first place, fifth grade; Rihanna Gretzmacher, second place, fourth grade; Ona Lightle, third place, seventh grade; Andrew Marzuco, second place, 11th grade.

(Information from the Ste. Genevieve R-II School District.)