Team "Oreo Dunkers" participated in the Frozen 5K and Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota! While we've done the Frozen 5K three times now, this was the first year that anyone took the plunge! Also, we added another member to our team - my nephew Taylor!
This was an extremely unusual year where the lake was actually not frozen but still very cold and the outside temperature was in the low 30's that morning! Taylor, Bonnie, Lydia, and Reggie took the plunge. Bryan organized a group from work and did the plunge the day before.
We had a blast raising money for Special Olympics!
Reggie spent the first two months of wrestling season in a cast and then doing physical therapy. From the start, we had January 27th circled on the calendar: 9th grade individual sections. Reggie's goal was to wrestle that day. Reggie did all his PT homework, and I manipulated the schedule to get him into his post-op appointment a week early. He was cleared to wrestle on the 24th!
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Of course his stamina and strength would be lagging behind a lot of the competition; even being on the mat at all was a win. Reggie went 3-2 and finished 4th. The top two wrestlers move on to 9th grade state. He's got one more year to qualify.
The next opportunity to wrestle was a team quad. Someone didn't make weight, so Reggie unexpectedly got called up to the varsity mat. Reggie got a varsity win only 101 days after his surgery!
The next day, Reggie wrestled in the JV SEC individual tournament. He went 3-1 to finish 2nd. Reggie wrestled a total of 11 matches this season, with a record of 7-4!
As an 8th grader, this was the last year Reggie would be eligible to wrestle in the youth tournaments advancing to NYWA State, which he has competed in every year since 2nd grade (except 2020 and 2021 due to Covid). But by February we had learned Reggie would need a second ankle surgery. In order to have the best outcome and a shot at playing baseball, we decided to schedule the surgery right after the high school wrestling season.
Brett's favorite sport is basketball so he plays in two leagues. He plays with our city youth rec league and with the Special Olympics. I really wish the Minnesota State High School league would add adapted basketball so he could play through the high school. The Special Olympics Minnesota unified schools program has started teams in some high schools, but unfortunately not Woodbury.
In our city league, Brett's team secured 3rd place in their
bracket. The Blazing Stars clinched 1st place at the regional tournament, which
led to them competing in a more challenging bracket at the State level, where
they achieved 3rd place.
Bryan has taken on coaching duties for all three sports that
Brett participates in with the Blazing Stars, deepening his involvement in the
Special Olympics community. Our affection for the Special Olympics continues to
grow!
One of the best things about Brett's sophomore year was him deciding to join the Thunderbolt's. The Thunderbolt's is our district's high school adapted sports team. In our state, adapted highschool sports include soccer, poly hockey, softball, bowling, and swimming. Brett doesn't love any of those sports except softball, so it took a little push from mom and dad, his favorite gym teacher, and the coach to get him to join.
Brett discovered a place where he was valued and supported. He experienced growth and success in trying something new, and he made good friends.
The Thunderbolt's is comprised of athletes from all three of the high schools in our district, plus some 7th and 8th graders. Students are bussed to one of the schools for all of the after school practices. This is all part of the fun, especially if you get out of sixth hour a few minutes early. 😉The team enjoys all the hype of gameday t-shirts, pep fest recognition, an occasional coach bus to a game, and end-of-season banquets. Brett likes hype.
The fall sport is soccer. It is played in the gym with a special felt covered soccer ball. Brett played on the varsity squad. They had an average record during the regular season. The section game that led to the state competition was intense, with the score tied at 3 and going into overtime. Brett's friend Logan scored the winning goal, advancing them to state. At state, they faced one of the best teams in the state in the first round and lost. It was an exciting but brief run at the title!
Brett earned his first varsity letter.
Brett passed on playing the winter sport - poly hockey. But he joined back up with the team this spring to play softball. Stay tuned!
