More Than a Meet: Grinnell Student-Athletes Partner with Special Olympics Iowa

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) recently partnered with Special Olympics Iowa to host their annual Central Region Track and Field Qualifier on April 26. 

The qualifier is a meet where Special Olympics athletes from the central Iowa Region compete in a variety of track and field events, including running, jumping, and throwing events. The SAAC’s involvement is the result of a national partnership established by the NCAA Division III SAAC in August 2011. This year’s meet featured thirty events in total, the most popular being the 100-meter dash. 

Each year, student volunteers play a crucial role in helping to facilitate the event. They assist with setting up, timing, measuring jumps and throws, awarding medals, and clean up. Skylar Thomas ’26, co-chair of the SAAC’s Special Olympics Committee has been volunteering at the event since her first year on campus. 

Thomas shares “The meet is a powerful opportunity for the Grinnell community to connect with Special Olympics athletes around a shared love of sport. The event is a reminder that there is more that makes us similar than makes us different, and that we all can appreciate the hard work that we put into sport and celebrate the joy that it brings us.” 

Jakob Runkel ’26, the second co-chair of SAAC’s Special Olympics Committee, similarly reflected on his second-year volunteering at the meet. He shares  “This event is a great way for athletes to help give back to the community. From personal experience members of the community can always be found at our events spending time to cheer us on. Now, we are given the opportunity to cheer them on and do something that is bigger than ourselves.”

Summer Wilke ’15, remembers her time helping to volunteer and organize the event 10 years ago, she shares. “It was always incredible to see students and community members come together. There’s a real power in what sports can do for inclusion—especially when access is prioritized. I’ll never forget how willing the Grinnell College softball team was to step up and support, and each year I truly treasured the inspiration I found in both my teammates and the Special Olympics athletes who participated.”

Jani Springer, Assistant Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Student Success, says of her college athletes “We want to develop well rounded individuals that make an impact, and I believe that serving your community is imperative for holistic growth.”

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