St. Cloud Special Olympic Swimmers Show Off Sensational Strokes

(KNSI) – A school of St. Cloud area swimmers had a big showing in the pool during the 2023 Minnesota Special Olympics.

Around 25 Granite City Rocks Special Olympic swimmers headed to Edina to compete in the breaststroke, butterfly, flotation, freestyle and relay teams.

Marie Kigin is a coach and volunteer with the group and told KNSI News the team excelled at relay races. “We had some relays that were called Unified. That means two athletes for Special Olympics with two partners that are not athletes. Or we had relay, which was all just Special Olympic athletes. And they all did well by taking first, second or third.”

Her daughter, Sara, was one of those relay racers. She has been swimming on the team since she was eight and competed in her 29th game. Kigin talked about how the team is an extended family. “The camaraderie, the friendship that she’s made, is actually more important than even the sports that she’s played. Because when she comes here, these are her brothers and sisters.”

Kigin explained why her daughter’s involvement is so important. “It gets you out in the community, and it shows people that just because I have a disability, doesn’t mean I can’t do this.”

Their motto is, go out, have fun and have a good time.

With swimming done for the year, the Granite City Rocks are getting ready for softball.

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