Schools

Simley Provides Opportunities for Disabled Student Athletes

The school's adaptive sports program is experiencing considerable success.

Simley High School is providing disabled students with the opportunity to pursue their athletic goals through the school’s adaptive sports program.

“I just think it’s a fantastic experience for them,” said Will Short, activities director for Simley.

The program is part of a countywide co-operative and offers adaptive soccer, floor hockey and softball. 

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Short noted that the program gives students an opportunity to build friendships, develop teamwork skills and cultivate self-esteem.

He also specified that adaptive sports are no different from non-adaptive sports - they are a commitment and a responsibility.

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“All the expectations for any athlete to be on a team happen at the adaptive level,” said Short.

The countywide team plays under the name Dakota United and includes students from several schools across the Dakota County area. The program is made up of a physically impaired team and a cognitively impaired team, although both teams play in the same league.

The Dakota United compete against similar co-op teams across the state.

Typically, two or three Simley students participate in each adaptive sport.

The program is currently in its floor hockey season.

“I like to play hockey,” said Keiran Cronin, a Simley sophomore and member of the Dakota United cognitively impaired floor hockey team. “I play center on my team.”

The majority of adaptive sports at Simley are organized through the Dakota United co-operative. However, there is also a high level of interest in bowling among Simley’s disabled students, to the extent that the school has established two separate Simley bowling teams, which accommodate both physically and cognitively disabled students.

Simley’s adaptive bowling team includes returning state champion Abby Cochran, who is a senior.

And while Cochran’s title is impressive, Simley’s adaptive program isn’t solely about winning championships. It’s also about giving students an opportunity to make friends and come together to learn the value of teamwork.


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