By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Arc of the Central Plains athletes competed for medals and came home with smiles from the group's track and field competition Wednesday night at the FHSU Track and Field Facility.
This is the first track meet in which the athletes have been able to compete since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 Kansas Special Olympics games were canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.
Brent Kaiser, Arc activities director, said the group felt they could conduct the games safely since the activities were all set to be outdoors.
"It is important to just get them back in the swing of things and get them back going," he said. "We wanted them to feel special and have those opportunities to be successful again."
Athletes competed in turbo javelin, softball throw, shot put, long jump, running and run/walk events.
"I think the social side is the most important," Kaiser said. "I think that is what they have been missing the most ... I think they just like being out here with their fellow athletes."
The Hays Striders track club joined the Arc athletes for running events as a warm up for their upcoming meet in Hays. FHSU athletics, as well as many volunteers from the community, assisted at the meet.
The Arc didn't have enough athletes to fill all the heats, and the Striders helped to do that. The Striders families also increased the crowd, which Kaiser said added to the atmosphere of the meet.
One athlete received a special surprise Wednesday night. Kacey Dannels of Hays learned she will be attending her second Special Olympics USA games in 2022. She also attended the USA games in 2018 in Seattle.
Dannels said she was very excited to be going to Orlando next year. She said she does not know what events in which she will compete. Wednesday night Dannels, 28, competed in the 800m, shot put and running long jump.
"I felt great about my run," she said. "It's hard to do, but you just have to put your mind to it to be able to do it."
Dannels also works at the north McDonald's in Hays.
Dannels will need to raise $1,000 to fund her trip. She is getting a late start, as she was chosen to replace another athlete who could not make the trip.
If you wish to donate toward Dannels' expenses for the Orlando games, you can direct donations to Kaiser at the Arc office, 600 Main, Hays, KS 676o1
Local athlete Tyler Powers also has been chosen as an athlete in bowling for the 2022 USA games. He has already raised enough funds for his trip.
Kaiser will be attending the games in Orlando as a track coach.
