For the second-straight year, the St. Catherine University Wildcat Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (WSAAC) has embraced the NCAA Division III partnership with Special Olympics by volunteering time at the organization's Minnesota State Bowling Tournament.
Eight Wildcat student-athletes, WSAAC advisor and Head Golf Coach Kris Wessinger and Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) James Wollack spent the day helping Special Olympics athletes on the lanes and administering the awards ceremony, Sunday, Nov. 11, in Blaine, Minn.
Wessinger, who is in her second year advising WSAAC, enjoys the partnership with Special Olympics and the opportunity it presents for student-athletes to volunteer using their athletic talents.
“I think our partnership with Special Olympics is great,” said Wessinger. “I have really enjoyed each activity we have done with this organization. They do a great job running their events.
“It's so important for our student-athletes to give back their time, and what a great way (to be able to do so) by volunteering at another athletic event.”
Senior Wildcat swimmer Alli Witt (La Crescent, Minn.) echoed Wessinger's sentiments about the event and the great fit between Special Olympics and Division III.
“It's a special partnership because we all love the sports we play and have a passion for competition and athletics,” said Witt. “It is so cool to be a part of the competition and athletic atmosphere. The athletes have so much passion and energy for what they do. It is inspiring.”
When the Division III partnership with Special Olympics was announced nearly two years ago, the intention was to foster a mutual learning experience between both Division III and Special Olympics athletes.
Wessinger said that the St. Catherine student-athletes who participated were able to develop a greater appreciation for their talents through their interactions with the Special Olympians.
The greatest takeaway for the student-athletes from the day was being able to “see how hard the (Special Olympics) athletes work and how excited and proud they are when they have success in what they are doing,” said Wessinger.
“I think as athletes, we sometimes take for granted how easy things may come for us. To see these athletes compete is inspiring. They are capable of accomplishing so much more than we maybe realize.”
As is true with most Special Olympics events, celebrating accomplishments and continuous excitement throughout the day from both athletes and volunteers took the forefront of the competition.
For Witt, being able to celebrate accomplishments with the Olympians was the most rewarding part of the day.
“I was so happy to be there to congratulate (the athletes) and see how proud they were of how they performed,” said Witt. “They really didn't care what place they got. They were just proud to have been able to participate and be a part of it all. It was cool to see.”
Like Witt, Wessinger valued the time she spent with the participants and being able to witness the joy that athletic competition can bring to everyone involved.
“The highlight of my day was having one of the athletes come up to us and show us the gold medal she won,” said Wessinger. “To see her smile and how proud she was of herself was absolutely priceless.”
“It's these moments that make you realize life is so short. So savor all of your successes and enjoy each moment like you just won a gold medal.”
Special Olympics Minnesota
NCAA Division III Special Olympics Partnership
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