Local adult team debuts at Winter Games
The Special Olympics has given to Kyler Morrison for so many years that he decided it was time to give something back.
Kyler recently collaborated with the Whitefish Rotary club to establish the Whitefish Thunder, Whitefish’s first Special Olympics adult team. The Thunder will make their debut starting at the Special Olympics Montana Winter Games on Big Mountain.
Kyler participated in the Winter Games all through school, but when he graduated from Whitefish High School in 2008, he either had to give up Special Olympics or find a ride to Kalispell for practices with the Krushers adult team. Adults aren’t allowed to compete with school teams after graduation.
Not wanting to give up Special Olympics, Kyler decided to travel to Kalispell, but he always considered it a burden to get there, and he knew it was also a burden for other athletes living in the north end of Flathead Valley.
“A lot of athletes come from single-parent homes or have working care givers,” said Kent Morrison, Kyler’s father. “A number of athletes don’t have the opportunity to travel to Kalispell.”
After a few years with the Krushers, Kyler decided it was time to start a Whitefish team.
The Whitefish Rotary club had established a relationship with Kyler through the Penguin Plunge, and when they heard about local adult athletes struggling to participate in the Winter and Summer games, they stepped in.
Led by Mark Kuhr, the group donated an initial $1,000 for team uniforms and, more importantly, provided coaches for one-on-one training with a half dozen athletes.
Kyler said he’s excited about the upcoming games and the debut of the Thunder. He’s been training hard with each of his coaches for the snowshoe races, both in the gym and on the snow.
“The snowshoe races are a lot harder than they look,” Kyler said as he worked out with Kuhr at The Wave last week.
Kuhr worked with Kyler on the stationary bike, elliptical machine and with stretches. Jerry House coaches Kyler on Big Mountain with snowshoe workouts.
Even though he used to compete with the Kalispell Krushers, Kyler says he wants the Thunder to beat his former team.
“I’m just competitive, I guess,” he said, smiling.
Yet, whether the Thunder wins or loses, he’s simply happy to know that his efforts to start a local team have helped other athletes in the area.
“Special Olympics basically got me through high school,” he said “It’s really important, and I wanted to give something back to them.”
Eight coaches currently work with the Thunder, including Kuhr, House, Matt Neil, Cristy Wells, Matthew Smeltzer, Scott Ringer, Dick Haberkern and Doug Scotti. Athletes include Morrison, Sheena Hutchinson, Michael Nesbit, Jared Ryan, Charlie Stafford and Cedar Vance.
Kuhr noted that the team is starting small for these upcoming Winter Games while they figure out how to handle more demand in the future. As many as 80 athletes in the area could potentially participate with the Thunder, he says.
As of now, all the coaches are from Rotary, but anyone interested in helping the team can join, Kuhr said. Athletes work out as much as four times a week and must have at least eight practice sessions before they can participate in the Winter Games. More help is needed to fill those practices, especially as more athletes join the team.
To learn more about the Whitefish Thunder, contact Mark Kuhr at 862-4481 or Kent Morrison at 253-7952.
Special Olympics Montana will conduct its State Winter Games at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Feb. 27 through March 1, beginning with a Parade of Athletes down Central Avenue on Sunday, Feb. 27, beginning at 4 p.m.
Opening ceremonies will follow in Depot Park, with live music by Fresh Ink, the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron and other festivities for families.