Go For It Sports Team recognized by Yorkville School Board

At its May meeting, the Yorkville School District 115 Board of Education recognized the inaugural Go For It Sports (GFIS) track team and the team members’ accomplishments at the Special Olympics Region C Spring Games.

GFIS owner Justine Brummel started the Special Olympics team, and volunteered her facility and time as coach, alongside colleague Ben Berg. The pair was assisted in weekly practices by many community volunteers, including Yorkville Middle School student-athlete leaders.

“Justine and company gave us a safe place for these awesome kids to learn and grow and be active,” said a parent. “These athletes worked hard, and the coaches are amazing. They have helped the team members build skills, confidence and friendships. We cannot thank them enough for this priceless experience.”

The group of 10 Yorkville-area youth met weekly for a few months and also participated in training heats during two YMS track meets this spring. The GFIS Foxes team participated in the regional Special Olympics event on April 29 at Marmion Academy in Aurora, and all youth placed in their divisions, with five qualifying for the state meet later this month.

Special Olympics Region C Spring Games results for the GFIS Foxes include (alphabetical by athlete) – John Benninger: softball throw third place, and 100-meter run fifth place; Kellen Brummel: 200-meter run third, and 100-meter run, fifth; Inocencio Castro: standing long jump, third, and 50-meter run, second; Joshua Gonzales: 200-meter run, fifth, and softball throw, eighth; Graham May: softball throw, second, and 50-meter run, third; Joey Ralston: softball throw, first, and 200-meter run, first; Jazelle Rios, 100-meter run, second; Joshua Rodriguez, 50-meter run, third, and tennis ball throw, third; Maya Stame, 50-meter run, first, and tennis ball throw, third; and Brandon Weiner: 100-meter run, first, and running long jump, second. In addition, Brummel, Gonzales, Ralston and Weiner also took first in the JR-2 division of the 400-meter relay.

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The relay team and first-place individual finishers have advanced to compete at the Illinois Special Olympics state meet June 15-17 in Bloomington.

To support the team, Go For It Sports will host a sand volleyball tournament on Saturday, June 9 at Pinheadz in Yorkville. The cost is $60 per co-ed team in a double elimination tournament, and each person on the winning team will receive a $100 gift certificate to Go For It Sports Dome, the new indoor facility in Yorkville. To learn more or sign up, contact TJ or Jordyn at 630-242-8440 or email info@goforitsportsdome.com. Sponsorships also are available.

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Pictured left to right: Bottom row: Graham May, Kellen Brummel, Joshua Gonzales, Jazelle Rios, Maya Stame, and Ino Castro. Top row: Justine Brummel, Jonathan Benninger, Brandon Weiner, Joshua Rodriguez and Joey Ralston.