McCook Olympians bring home Fall gold, silver medals

Maverick Hoffmann (left) and Dante Peacock

Courtesy Photo

LINCOLN, Neb. — McCook Special Olympics athletes competed in Fall Games in Lincoln the weekend of Aug. 1-2.

The weekend kicked off with Dante Peacock and Maverick Hoffmann participating in Young athletes competitions at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex. 

The duo completed activities in softball which included throwing, hitting off the tee, and running the bases. 

From left are Erica Kinne, Amanda Kinne, Riley O’Brien, Michael Graham and Blaze Bowers.

Courtesy Photo

Young athletes are individuals with and without disabilities ages 2 - 7 learning basic sports skills and a love of sports. 

On August 2, the Special Olympics athletes took center stage competing in unified doubles and doubles bocce at Speedway Village. 

The team of Amanda Kinne and Erica Kinne competed in unified doubles and brought home the gold. 

They beat the Capital City team and then just got nudged out by the duo from Minden when they ran out of time losing 6-5. The Minden team lost to Capital City. 

Due to a tiebreaker, the sisters were declared the winners based on points made. 

The trio of Michael Graham, Riley O’Brien and Blaze Powers brought home a silver medal. 

They faced off against two teams from Beatrice beating the first team and losing in a close match to the gold medal team. 

“It was a great day of competition and every match was competitive.  The athletes showed off their skills and had a great time competing.  I am so proud of them all,” McCook Special Olympics coach Lynn Kinne state. Next for McCook will be practicing for the upcoming cornhole tournament in October.