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Weather-Shortened Track Meet Caps Storm Team’s Strong 2025-26 Season

Teamwork – Storm track and field athletes (left to right) Chris Devine, Steve Smolik, and Michael Manka take a photograph with Wichita Law Enforcement following the 50-meter race walk at the State Track Championships at Maize South High School on June 6.

The best‑laid plans went awry for Central Kansas’ Storm Special Olympics Team as athletes wrapped up their 2025–26 sports campaign. Competing at the Special Olympics Kansas State Track and Field Championships at Maize South High School June 5–7, the meet was cut short Saturday afternoon by a heavy downpour. Sunday’s events were also washed out, bringing an early end to the Summer Games and leaving 14 Storm athletes unable to compete in five scheduled running and walking events.

Despite the setback — and the obvious disappointment felt by athletes —Storm Local Program Coordinator Amanda Hammond is choosing to focus on the bigger picture: a season filled with growth, achievement, and team pride.

“I reminded them that having their events canceled doesn’t take away from what they accomplished this year,” said Hammond. “We keep record of their times and marks throughout the season, and many of them achieved personal bests. Several athletes were timid at the start, but by the end they had come out of their shells and built strong friendships. And even with the weather, we still enjoyed opening ceremonies, the dance, the Healthy Athletes program, and time together at the hotel. The extra downtime actually gave us more team‑bonding opportunities.”

One of the weekend’s most memorable moments came before the team even reached Wichita. The Great Bend Police Department escorted the Storm Team bus out of town — a gesture the athletes hadn’t experienced in more than a decade.

“That gesture really hyped up the athletes,” Hammond said. “They talked about it the whole way to Wichita. It was pretty special. We appreciate the Great Bend Police Department taking time out of their busy schedule to do that for our athletes.”  

Heel-Toe – Storm athlete Elisa Shores enthusiastically rounds the curve of the track at Maize South High School during the 400-meter race walk at the Special Olympics Kansas State Track Championships on June 6. Shortly after Shores’ award ceremony, the day’s remaining events were canceled due to stormy weather.

The end of the track season also marked the conclusion of a busy year for Storm Special Olympics, which included fall bowling, winter basketball and cheerleading, and spring track and field.

This year, 44 athletes competed in at least one sport—13 fewer than last year’s record turnout, but still a strong showing compared to previous seasons. Hammond noted that it’s typical for some athletes to take a year off, and many return the following season. The team also welcomed several new athletes this year.

Storm athletes who made the trip to state were: Kaleb Beckham, Darren Brown, Michael Burress, Sarah Burrill, Chris Devine, David Edwardson, Logan Gregg, Jenny Harris, Audrey Koester, Dylan Lebbin, Austin Levingston, Donnie Lewis, Rian Lewis, Michael Manka, Rita Mestas, Cierra Roberts, Tori Rose, Curtis Schneweis, Jacob Shackelford, Elisa Shores, Steve Smolik, Caitlyn Stinger, Josh Trimmer, and Jim Wonsetler.

Storm’s track coaching staff included Hammond, Emily Komarek, Denice Whetham, Missy Dwight, and Stu Hogg. Volunteers Carole and Amy Edwardson also provided valuable support at meets and throughout the season.

The spring schedule began just days after Storm athletes wrapped up state basketball and cheerleading championships in Hays in late March. Weather delays cost the team several early practices, but they still competed at the Special Olympics Kansas regional meet in Dodge City in late April. In mid‑May, Storm athletes joined local law enforcement in Larned for the annual Special Olympics Torch Run.

“I like how our season sets up,” Hammond said. “Bowling gets athletes back into the flow. Basketball and cheer are full‑team efforts. Then track gives athletes a chance to focus on individual improvement. As a whole, this season was extremely successful. I credit our amazing athletes, and also our coaches and volunteers, for putting in the time and effort to make the strides we achieved this year.”

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For more information, contact Amanda Hammond, Storm Team Local Program Coordinator, AmandaH@rosewoodservices.com, 620-793-5888.

June 12, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com