Three Rockford Students Compete in the State Special Olympics Tournament

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A few of Rockford’s best Special Olympians have dominated the lanes all the way to Illinois’ State Bowling Tournament. Mariyah and Isabella attend Rockford middle schools and Dylan is on the bowling team at Guilford High School. After 10 games and countless practices, these bowlers are ready to compete on the biggest stage. “These are all scratch games, there’s no handicap at all,” head coach and league owner Stacey Weigel said. “It is pin for pin, and they’ve earned every position.” Weigel created the Team10Bowling League last year with her son Dylan, who has autism. Sarah Legoo, Weigel’s daughter, helps coach the athletes as well. “Dylan, he’s bowling really well, and it makes me happy as a sister that he’s made it,” Legoo said. This year, the league grew when Mariyah and Isabella joined. Mariyah also has autism and Isabella’s disability leaves her in a wheelchair. Isabella has two goals when it comes to competing in the state tournament: “To get my average and try to win,” Isabella said. Weigel said to make it to State, each participant must achieve the gold medal in their division at sectionals, which she said is not an easy task. “It’s not easy to be here,” Weigel said. “Other kids get to walk away with bronze medals, silver medals, but not in Special Olympics. You have to earn your gold, and that’s a hard thing for someone who’s special, so to watch them succeed, it’s such an honor.” Mariyah’s nana, Shelley Dicks, said the best part about this league is the acceptance and sense of community the athletes receive. “The kids, they have fun,” Dicks said. “They’re all accepted and they all have a good time, which is the most important.” The athletes will compete in the all-day tournament on Saturday down in Peoria.