Students Place at Special Olympics State Bowling Tournament

Back row, left to right, Jacob O’Donnell, Makenzie Wittrock, Briar Zuraff and Chris Stodolski             Front row, Mariah Pillatzki and Tyler Johnson  Not pictured – Courtney Rego

Seven students from Milbank and Grant-Deuel high schools were named top place winners at the state Special Olympics bowling tournament Friday at Village Bowl in Aberdeen.

Capturing second place were Chris Stodolski and Jacob O’Donnell. Courtney Rego finished in third place while Makenzie Wittrock, Briar Zuraff, Tyler Johnson and Mariah Pillatzki landed in fourth.

The students practiced during their adaptive physical education class taught by Jeremy Tostenson and honed their skills with special instruction from Lyle Hoeke owner of Top Hat Lanes. Hoeke has been tutoring and helping to prepare the bowlers three days a week for the past two months.

Each student competed at the region bowling tournament in Aberdeen on October 16 and earned top places in their divisions. Rego led the team with a first place finish. O’Donnell, Wittrock and Pillatzki took second place. Stodolski landed in fourth place while Johnson finished fifth and Zuraff, sixth.

Accompanying the students to both the region and state event were MHS staff members Joyce Johnson, Abbey Trapp and Kathy Johnson.