Shorewood Eighth Grader Wins Gold at State Special Olympics

When the results for the Special Olympics state bowling competition came out at Bowlero Lanes in Wauwatosa Dec. 10, Shorewood eighth grader Sarah Turner started jumping up and down. She had placed first and won a gold medal after five years of practice, overcoming physical challenges like Scoleosis and back surgery along the way.

"What's really been excellent is that Sarah had so many physical challenges and Special Olympics allows each person to excel in their abilities," said mother Angela Turner. "It gives you an opportunity to be number one if you work hard."

Special Olympics, an organization dedicated to providing an athletic platform for kids and adults with intellectual disabilities, operates in Shorewood through the recreation department. The teams, with students 8 years old and up, are coached by Shorewood Spanish teacher Lisa Bane and Erin Clapper.

The bowling team practiced every Monday leading up to the state competition. For Sarah, it paid off, with scores of 89, 87 and 65 bringing her the gold medal.

Sarah, who also participates in the Special Olympics snowshoeing, track and basketball, said winning felt great but she also loves participating for the friends she makes.

"I love it; I have a lot of friends in it," Sarah said.

Although Sarah couldn't choose a favorite memory from the bowling team, she immediately offered her favorite memory of her life: a Justin Bieber concert at Summerfest, which she attended with her friend and teammate Kathryn Mauer.