The JTHS Special Olympics Basketball Gold Team was recognized at the April Board of Education meeting for recently winning the Group 5 State Championship. The JTHS team brought home gold medals. This is the first time the JTHS Special Olympics team has won a State Championship.
In January they won the district tournament and advanced to the state tournament brackets. They went on to play for the Group 5 State Title at Illinois Wesleyan University and defeated Vernon High School 63-38 and proceeded to defeat Oak Park River Forest 68-48 in the championship game.
JTHS 204 sponsors two basketball teams: Gold and Blue. The winning Gold team roster consisted of students Mauricio Artega, Jessie McMorris, Margaret Ezell, Hanah Smith, Keshon Steele, Christian Cisneros, Steve Oberding, Adam Arias and Tim Formhals, as well as coaches Vern Jordan and Kamron Majerus. Although Team Blue did not make it to the state competition, they also played hard all season and had a great time.
AVAC/Transition Coordinator Lynda Shanks said, “Our JTHS Special Olympics athletes give 100 percent to everything that they do. They are hardworking, kind, and have a wonderful team spirit. Their dedication to being the best they can be every time they stop on the court resulted in Gold for the Gold!”
Joliet Township High School will have a team participate in Special Olympics track this spring.