A moment in the sun

A group of athletes marched proudly down the halls of Rhinelander High School Thursday afternoon and then hopped on a bus for a celebratory escort through downtown.

That scene has become somewhat routine over the past several years as the school and the town make a point of recognizing the successes of their student-athletes, but Thursday’s celebration carried a bit of extra significance. 

The community took time to honor the School District of Rhinelander Special Olympics bowling team, which had 13 state qualifiers this season, and 12 walked away with awards from the state bowling competition, held last weekend at Dale’s Weston Lanes. 

“I heard some of the kids say this was the coolest thing that’s ever happened,” said Nina Hazelton, a special education teacher at RHS and manager of the district’s Special Olympics program. 

Last weekend’s state meet was a culmination of a six-week season for the team. Competitions were held virtually during the season, with team members submitting two official scores each week during practice at Nick’s Hodag Lanes in Rhinelander. Those who finished among the top three in the district within their division advanced to the state tournament, held Dec. 2 and 3.

Rhinelander ended up with four state champions among their 13 qualifiers. Abigail Adams took first place in division 153, Brayden Kuhn won division 151, Spencer Smith won division 149 and Gabe White won division 150. According to information posted on the state Special Olympics website, athletes were assigned divisions based on their entered season averages through regional league play. 

Whitney Devine, Matthew Fessenden, Daxton Fleming and Jase Zeske took second in their divisions. Teammates Marshal Barlowski and Hudson Lacrosse tied for third in their division. Allison Brunette also added third-place finish while Margaret Lehman finished fifth in her division. Carmen Fessenden qualified but was unable to compete due to an illness.

“It’s just really exciting,” Hazelton said. “It’s my second year taking over Special Olympics in the area. Last year we took five bowlers, this year we took 13 and we hope to keep increasing as the years go on.”

Hazelton said the district’s athletes range in age from 8-21 with disabilities that cover a wide spectrum from Down Syndrome to autism to learning or emotional disabilities. 

“The great thing is, is they’re awesome teammates,” she said. “They make sure everyone feels welcome, no matter what their abilities are. We have a lovely lady that is in a wheelchair and her teammates make sure she gets where she needs to be and help her along the way. It’s a really incredible feeling.”

As for what the team experienced on Thursday as it walked through the halls of RHS, hopped on the Hodag-themed bus from Bowen’s Bus Service and headed into town in the middle of a convoy that included units from the Rhinelander Police and Fire Departments, along with several parents and well-wishers. 

“I definitely had tears in my eyes a couple of times,” Hazelton said. “As we were leaving the high school a bunch of classes came out, were high-fiving. We had kids (waving) out the bus windows, it was pretty incredible.”

    SDR Special Olympics athlete Blake Snyder receives the gift of new bowling gear from Santa Claus during the team’s season-ending party at Nick’s Hodag Lanes Thursday, Dec. 6. The gear was gifted to all of the team’s first-year athletes courtesy of Nick’s Hodag Lanes and McNaughton Pub. (Jeremy Mayo/River News)
  

After heading downtown, the escort finished at Nick’s Hodag Lanes where the team held its season-ending party. There was bowling as well snacks, cake and gifts to hand out. The lanes and McNaughton Pub teamed up, as they did last year, to ensure the bowlers were properly equipped with balls and shoes. The program’s first-year bowlers received this gifts, presented by St. Nicholas himself. 

Hazelton thanked Hodag Lanes and McNaughton Pub for their generosity, as well as the district and the city of Rhinelander for the warm reception they gave her athletes.

“The kids, I don’t think they’ll forget this for a long time,” she said.

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at jeremy@rivernewsonline.com.