Franklin Park, Northlake Special Olympians bring home awards

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:19AM

Special Olympics Illinois athletes, coaches and volunteers from around the state gathered this week in the Galena area for the annual Winter Games.

Chestnut Mountain Resort was the site of cross-country and alpine skiing and snowshoeing competition, and Mystique Ice Center (Dubuque, Iowa) was the venue for speed skating and figure skating events. Individuals in attendance included 400 athletes, 200 coaches, 100 family members and more than 350 volunteers.

Athletes competed in divisions based on their gender, age and comparable entry scores, giving each athlete a chance to succeed on a level playing field. Medals were awarded for the first three places and ribbons were awarded for fourth through seventh place.

Local award winners from Veterans Park District in Northlake were: Melissa Broz of Franklin Park, who won second place in the Snowshoe 100-Meter Race; Samantha Johnson of Melrose Park, who won first place in the Snowshoe 50-Meter Race; and Thomas Penton of Northlake, who won fourth place in the Snowshoe 50-Meter Race.

View individual results online at www.soill.org/downloadfile.php?docID=3871.

Special Olympics Illinois 2012 Winter Games was sponsored by Illinois Knights of Columbus, Winter Games Presenting sponsor; Law Enforcement Torch Run, Winter Games Gold Medal Sponsor, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Reception sponsor and The Galena Gazette, Media sponsor,

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 11,000 young athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics aims to change lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs work to enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.

If you are interested in learning about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, call 1-800-394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.