This Saturday, a different kind of athletic event will bring out the crowds to Panther Stadium.

Challenge Games 2008, a track, field and boccia competition for physically challenged athletes, will be held May 17.

“The games give those with disabilities the opportunity to truly compete in an equitable playing field,” Carol Keller, meet director, said. “All of the athletes go through an evaluation process where they are assigned to a specific classification group according to the characteristics of their particular disability.  Their performances are compared only to others in their classification.  Fair competition can provide motivation to exercise and become more physically fit.  In addition, growth in confidence and independence is often a side benefit.”

The competition provides one of the few opportunities in this part of the country for those with physical disabilities to qualify for competition at the national level.

These athletes cannot compete in Special Olympics events because you must be mentally handicapped to be eligible for Special Olympics.

Although there are many opportunities for those with cognitive and developmental disabilites to participate in sports competitions through Special Olympics, there are relatively few events in this area for those with physical disabilities,” Keller said.

This year marks the 20th year for the Challenge competition, which began in 1989.

Although the majority of those competing are from this area, the competition has drawn athletes from Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, and across the state of Kansas.

The athletes are classified into competition groups established by the National Disability Sports Alliance and Wheelchair Sports, USA. 

There are wheelchair divisions as well as ambulatory divisions.

Examples of the types of disabilities represented include:  cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, head injury, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and amputations.
“The most inspiring thing about Challenge are seeing the crowd come to life to cheer for a last place finisher as the finish line is crossed, and watching the pure excitement of athletes and their families as the awards are presented at the end of the day,” Keller said.

This year’s competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. 

Track events and boccia are scheduled in the morning, field events in the afternoon. 
Awards will be presented at a victory beginning at 4 p.m.

“The Challenge competition is exciting, energetic, and simply one of the most anticipated events of the year to many of the athletes and their families,” Keller said. 
 In addition to the camaraderie and competition, athletes receive a Challenge 2008T-shirt, lunch, dinner, and admission to the victory dance. 

Medals are awarded for first through third place finishes in each division of each event, and ribbons are given out to athletes who place fourth through eighth.

The Derby Free Spirits team of Nickole Donohue, Brandon McDaniel, Noah Patton, Lauren Rouleau, Mark Wadas, and Naomi Wickham, will participate in this year’s event.

 “I love seeing the athletic growth and maturity of returning athletes,” Keller said. “But it is also pretty great to see the looks on the new ones faces when they finish an event to the sound of a cheering crowd.  All the athletes are special to me.”

Other teams include the Kansas City Pioneers, Oklahoma City Blaze, Wichita Pips, Sedgwick County Lightning, Sumner County Wildthings, and Tulsa Jammers.
Independent athletes will also participate in the competition.

“We will also be giving a special presentation at the awards ceremony to the family of Roy Mansch,” Keller said.

Mansch, who passed away last spring, was responsible for orgainizing the grilled hamburger lunch that has been donated by the Knights of Columbus, Council 7486. 

“Roy's son, Jacob, is a former Challenge competitor,” Keller said. “He has taken over his father's role in the Knights of Columbus group to organize lunch for the athletes.”

The premier sponsor for the event is the Via Christi Foundation. 

“We have been able to keep entry fees at only $10 for this wonderful day due to them and our other sponsors,” Keller said. “The event is also made possible due to the volunteer efforts of about 50 volunteers in various roles throughout the day.”

Visit www.challengegames.org for more information.  

Information can also be obtained by contacting Keller at (316) 788-3801 or rkeller3@cox.net  .