Jaguars Jump and run: GovState students earn medals in Special Olympics
Illinois Region E Track and Field competition
(University Park, Illinois) - Recently competing in the Special Olympics Illinois Region E Track and Field competition, some Governors State University (GovState) Jaguar Jumps students are celebrating their medal wins.
Julian Johnson, Thaddeus Simpson, Daniel Simpson (pictured left to right), and Donald Taylor (pictured below) represented the South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA) Stingrays in the competition, participating in solo and team events.
Donald received a bronze medal for the softball toss and a silver medal for the 100-meter dash. Daniel received silver medals in the 200-meter dash and shot put.
Thaddeus received a gold medal in a separate power lifting championship and Julian, a GovState Accounting major, received gold medals in the 100-meter dash and long jump.
Together, Julian, Thaddeus, Daniel and teammate Willie McClinton (pictured above, far right) won gold competing in the 4 x 100-meter relay. They advanced to the State Special Olympics championship meet on June 12-14 in Normal, Illinois.
At the state meet, Daniel took 5th place in the 200-meter dash and 4th place in the shot put. Julian placed 7th in the 100-meter dash and 5th in the long jump. The 4 x 100-meter relay team of Julian, Thaddeus, Daniel and Willie won the gold medal!
Jaguar Jumps is a transition program at Governors State for individuals ages seventeen and older who have physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. The program connects participants with resources to assist with educational, career, self-help, and self-advocacy goals. Jaguar Jumps also provides social activities for participants. The program was founded in 2019 by Michelle Sebasco, Professor Emeritus Roberta “Robbie” O’Shea, and Dr. Ann Jackson.
For more information on the program, please contact Michelle Sebasco at msebasco@govst.edu or Professor O’Shea at roshea@govst.edu.