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GISH Unified girls sweep state meet, coach says win advances inclusion goals
Summary
Grand Island Senior High’s Unified girls track and field team won gold in all four unified events at the state meet, coach Andrea Hill told the Grand Island Public Schools board, calling the sweep a milestone for inclusion and student connection.
Grand Island Senior High’s Unified girls track and field team swept the state unified meet at Omaha Burke on May 22, winning gold in the long jump, shot put, 100-meter dash and the 4x100 relay, coach Andrea Hill told the Grand Island Public Schools Board during a recognition item.
The sweep, Hill said, came after a season of growth for the district’s Unified program and reflects an expansion in the state: Nebraska School Activities Association competition added a girls division this year and will expand next year to provide separate boys, girls and coed divisions.
“This milestone is very special to our unified track program because it provides our team the recognition they deserve and encourage self awareness and social awareness that unified track and field is the real deal,” Hill said. She noted the girls ran a personal-record 4x100 relay in 59.92 seconds and won the race by nearly four seconds.
Hill credited a wide group of staff and volunteers for the program’s growth, singling out Grand Island Senior High athletic staff and special education staff, and listed athletes recognized by the board: Wendy Koehler, Aurora Carr, Sofia Mora and Bailey Simpth. Hill said all four are underclassmen and that several will return next season, which she said bodes well for program continuity.
Athletes and district staff emphasized goals beyond medals, saying Unified track fosters social inclusion between students with and without intellectual disabilities through paired training and competition. “Our goal for the Unified Track and Field team is to create a safe space for students with and without intellectual disabilities to interact, build friendships, and develop social skills,” Hill said.
The board presentation included a request for community attendance and volunteers at next year’s expanded local Unified meet; Hill said last year’s hosted meet grew from five teams to an expected six next season.
Those recognized and the coach posed for photos at the board meeting after the presentation. The recognition item was presented during the board’s public agenda and did not include any formal board action.
