McCook Special Olympics athletes find success and community at Spring Games

McCOOK Neb.– There’s a lot to celebrate for McCook Special Olympics athletes this spring and a lot of heart behind it.

Athletes from McCook had strong performances at the 2026 Spring Games earlier this month in Lincoln, bringing home multiple medals in bowling and basketball.

But for many involved, this program is about more than results. For years, Lynne Kinne helped build Special Olympics in McCook through her work as a teacher and coach, creating opportunities for students to be part of something bigger. Today, that work is being carried forward by her daughter, Erica Kinne, and a group of volunteers who want to keep those opportunities going.

This year’s results included:

• Silver medals in ramp bowling for Patrick Lubbers, Cody Stevens and Michael Graham

• A second-place finish in 3-on-3 basketball for Blaze Powers, Braxton Baumann and Blake Myers

• A bronze medal for the team skills group of Amanda Kinne, Amber Norton, Riley O’Brien and Michael Graham

• A gold medal in individual bowling for Braxton Ballman, with Blaze Powers placing sixth and Riley O’Brien tying for fifth

The program is fully volunteer-run and open to athletes age 8 and up with intellectual or physical disabilities.

Fundraising efforts are underway, including a Law Enforcement Torch Run set for May 25 at 5 p.m., along with T-shirt sales to help support travel and competition costs. Organizers say they’re hoping to grow the program and make sure every athlete who wants to participate has the chance.