At this rate of success and support, the Cadiz Public Works Department is going to need the sign machine warm.
Because officials, faculty and the high school student body wrapped their arms around the Trigg County Special Olympics program once again Thursday morning in front of the district office — unveiling a permanent marker for a 2024 Flag Football Division B State Championship, just under the inscription for a 2023 basketball title.
It’s quite a culmination for the first-year team, which found liftoff behind Coach Tayler Ramey, assistant coaches Eric Bleidt and Charles Choate, staff assistants Carolyn Choate and Kerri Stephens, and a roster comprised of Trevor McCullough, Jeremy Choate, Smith Rogers, James Jones, Keshaun Grant, Miley Yervasi, Josh Duke, Luke Barr, Nathan Carneyhan, Trinity Gude and Dustin Malburg.
Earlier this year, after several intense practices and a brief regular season, the squad traveled and put the “win” into Winchester at George Rogers Clark High School, cruising to a 48-28 victory over the Louisville Wizards in the semifinals before topping the Louisville Thunder 28-18 in the championship bout.
McCullough, now 19 years old, has been a Special Olympian since seventh grade. He said he spent a lot of time in practice having the ball and not having the ball this year, and in competition, it was his job to “be the bull” against opposing quarterbacks.
He also had a little fun in the Wildcats offense.
Above all, Special Olympics keeps him happy.
Bleidt noted it’s the families of the Olympians truly making the difference.
Under the direction of Theresa Wilson, Brigitte Durham, Jennifer Cabbage and Somar Brant — and community anchors like the Trigg County Sheriff’s Office and generous local philanthropy — Trigg County’s Special Olympics program has only continued to grow, especially in the last decade.
Student-athlete offerings, Cabbage assured, are now aplenty.
Judge-Executive Stan Humphries, himself a diamond king back in the day, tipped off that a recent Special Olympics fundraiser may become a community calendar mainstay.
Mayor Todd King and city employees had the final pull on the wrapped gift.
Next up for Special Olympics: a 9 AM and 10 AM tip on December 28 in the Trigg County Middle School Gymnasium, for basketball and cheerleading against Christian County.
