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HSU HOSTS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
As part of Division III week, Hardin-Simmons’
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hosted
its annual practice track meet for the Special
Olympics of West Texas on a windy day at the
HSU Track and Field Complex.
It was the largest meet in the nine-year history
of the event with 184 Special Olympians
competing in running events, the shot put,
softball throw, the modified javelin and
standing and broad jumps.
“We enjoy coming out to Hardin-Simmons
every year,” said Special Olympics Area
Director Luann Chastain. “It has been a great
partnership between our West Texas Special
Olympians and the HSU kids. Both receive a
great deal of satisfaction on this day.”
Times are relative to the ability of the athletes
whether it is a 13.30 in the 100-meter dash or a
28-second in the 10-meter walk both are great
times for those individuals.
The Special Olympians are fine-tuning their
skills for the local, area and state games that will
be held throughout the spring. For the HSU
student-athletes it is a humbling experience
to see the time and effort the athletes put into
their craft.
“We work hard at our sports and put in a lot
of time and they are the same way,” said HSU
basketball player Joe Hoeup. “To see the smiles
on their faces when they have a good time or
distance or whatever is priceless. Some of them
just finishing the race is a win for them and
that puts it into perspective. I had so much fun
just interacting with all of them today. It’s a
humbling experience.”
The event was run by the SAAC committee and
HSU student-athletes did all the organizing,
scoring, measuring and maybe most important
of all encouraging the Special Olympians to be
as good as they can be.
SOCCER LIGHTS
COMING TO HSU
With the help of some very generous donors,
the Hardin-Simmons soccer programs will now
have lights on the HSU Soccer Complex.
The lights will not only allow the teams to play
in cooler temperatures early in the season, it
will also allow for less missed class time, and
more parents will be able to make it out for
evening games.
“We won’t have to miss class for home games
which is a big benefit to our players,” said
women’s coach Marcus Wood. “It will also be
easier for parents to get to the games in the
evening, rather than having to take off a full day
of work.”
The night games should also attract more fans
to the games, which will help the entire game
day experience for the student-athletes.
Every year the HSU athletes
look forward to their time with
the Special Olympics athletes.
Christian Jordan ’20 gives a
high five to one of the kids
from Special Olympics.
ATHLETICS
RANGE RIDER | SPRING-SUMMER 2018
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