Cheers and squeaking sneakers echoed throughout Allen Field House on Jan. 15.

Children and adults participating in the Special Olympics shot baskets and ran drills at this year’s KU Women’s clinic. Among these players were LHS students.

“They put on a clinic for Special Olympians, so I was invited to that,” senior Zach Wormsley said. “It was pretty fun. I got to scrimmage with some people with my capacity and stuff. It was pretty cool.”

Wormsley has been involved with the Special Olympics for years.

“I started out in Missouri [when] I was 5, so about 13 years,” Wormsley said.

Among the participants was freshman Kiera Snodgrass. Snodgrass has been an Olympian for several years, but this was her first time at the clinic.

“It’s good,” Snodgrass said. “My favorite part is shooting hoops; I made four.”

Sophomores Adam Graham and George Wedge are also Special Olympians. Both have been involved for over seven years.

“[I play] track and field, basketball — that’s the sport we’re doing now — soccer, and softball,” Wedge said.

According to the Douglas County Special Olympics website, the program offers, “year round sports training, education and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.”

Wormsley enjoys basketball when he plays with older Olympians.

“When I have to play the Kings, they have a 7’3” guy [and] I’m the youngest in Special Olympics on my on my basketball team. I play 25 to30 year olds,” Wormsley said.

Snodgrass loves playing baseball.

“Baseball [is my favorite],” Snodgrass said, “I love baseball. I’m very good at it, I play first [base].”

The Special Olympics offers 21 different sports, with bowling, basketball and soccer being the most popular.

The Olympians enjoy competing and encourage more students to get involved.

“Anybody who has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) can come out,” Wormsley said, “We need another point guard. I can’t just handle the ball the whole time.”

People of all ages can participate.

“The Special Olympics is very fun, and it’s just a good exercise for most people to do,” Graham said, “Even 45 and up can still do it.”

Wedge enjoys being a Special Olympian and plans to continue for a long time.

“‘Because I’ve been doing it for so long, [I] just can’t stop,” Wedge said. “The oldest person in our group is 54, close to my dad’s age.”

Along with getting to compete in several sports, there are more perks to being a Special Olympian, including their recent event with the KU women’s team.

“We got to a table where the players got out and ready while we [were] exploring a tour of women’s locker rooms,” Snodgrass said, “After [that] we got autographs. I have the poster hanging up in my room.”

Wormsley also attends clinics sponsored by the KU men’s team, and they get the opportunity to attend all their games, play at halftime and sometimes, even tag along when they travel.

However, Wormsley also enjoys the women’s clinics.

“I thought it was really nice that they put it on for us,” Wormsley said, “I was excited to go that night, because I know a lot of the players from last year. [I’ve gone] five times, so I’ve seen different players.”

For Snodgrass, the Special Olympics is more than just an after school activity.

“I love the Special Olympics,” Snodgrass said. “It’s my favorite thing to do.”