Ozark Challenged Athletes bring home medals from State Special Olympics

Photo from L to R: Moray Campbell, Coach Lindsay Roberts, David Stowers, Nick Pinegar, Tommy Miller, Matt Wiesboeck, Shynia Roberts, Coach Cleveland Kenedy, Head Coach Gary Smith, Executive Chaperone Olivia McDaniel, Chaperone Megan Rodquires, Randi Shortt, and Chaperone Shane Rowden.

The Ozark Challenged Athletes, an adult Special Olympics team from Baxter County, competed in the 2025 Arkansas Special Olympics Summer Games held May 22-–24 at Harding University.

The delegation returned home with several medals across multiple sports, including power lifting, track, and field events.

In power lifting, Randi Shortt swept the competition, earning gold medals in the bench press, dead lift, and combination lift.

In track and field, the 4×100 meter relay team Matt Wiesboeck, Nick Pinegar, Moray Campbell, and Tommy Miller earned bronze. In the 100-meter dash, Pinegar and Miller each won gold in the 30+ division, while Wiesboeck took gold in the 22–29 age group.

Other highlights include:

– Softball Throw (Male 30+): Kendall Patterson won silver; David Stowers placed fifth.

– Softball Throw (Female 16–21): Neveah Hurst won gold; Shynia Roberts earned bronze.

– Softball Throw (Female 22–29): Taylor Plunkett placed sixth.

– 100 Meter Walk: David Stowers took gold; Hurst won silver; Plunkett and Patterson earned bronze.

– 400 Meter Walk: Shynia Roberts won gold.

– Shot Put (Male 30+): Pinegar earned gold; Miller won silver; Campbell placed sixth.

– Shot Put (Male 22–29): Wiesboeck earned silver.

– 100 Meter Dash (Male 30+): Campbell finished fourth.

The team expressed appreciation to the Mountain Home Schools Athletic Department, Twin Rivers Community Living Facility, Baxter Day Center, and Legacy Racket and Fitness Club for their ongoing support.

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady^® NSI