The Shelbyville Rams trip to the State Special Olympics Meet in Bloomington recently was described as a beautiful weekend for the athletes and it culminated with Shelby bringing home an individual state title and four runner-up medals.

“It was a beautiful weekend,” said Darci Peadro, the head coach for the Shelbyville Special Olympics team. “The athletes went swimming, watched a parade for opening ceremonies and had a dance on the ISU football field in their off time.”

In addition to the camaraderie of the athletes on their trip, three of the athletes accounted for a first place and four second place finishes in the competition.

Cody Wheeler (age 13) took first place at State in the Tennis Ball Throw, repeating his feat at Regional. That wasn’t enough success for him as he also placed second at State in the Standing Long Jump. He place first in the event at Regional.

Dylan Beck (age 12) almost rivaled Wheeler’s success, as Beck placed second at State in two events. Beck was State runner-up in the 25-meter Wheelchair Race, as well as State runner-up in the Tennis Ball Throw. Beck won both events at Regional.

Ricci Smith (age 16) scored the other State second place finish for Shelbyville. Smith sped to the finish line in the 100-meter run, good enough for State second. Smith won the 100-meters at Regional. She also had a fifth place finish as part of the 4x100 relay.

The Ram 4x100 relay made up of Smith, Amy Carroll, Whitney Fulton and Eric Fulton won the event at Regional to qualify them for State.

Amy Carroll (age 13) grabbed a 3rd-place State finish in the 50-meter run and added a 4th-place finish in the Softball Throw, as well as being on the 5th-place 4x100 relay. Carroll won both of her individual events at Regional, as well as being part of the relay.

Whitney Fulton (age 15) had a 3rd-place performance on the big stage, taking third in the 100-meter run, as well as being part of the 5th place Ram 4x100 relay. Fulton was the 100-meter champ at Regional.

Eric Fulton (age 19), grabbed two fourth place medals, one in the 200-meter run and the other in the Softball Throw, as well as anchoring the 5th-place 4x100 relay. Eric was the Regional champ in both the 200-meters and the Softball Throw.

Brandon Brown (age 28), the leading Ram veteran at State, brought home yet another State medal, this time a 5th-place medal in the 50-meter run.

Cain Lawrence, another Ram athlete who qualified for State in two events with a regional title in the 25-meter wheelchair race and the tennis ball throw, was unable to make the trip. Shelbyville’s Tyler Beck was also a regional champ in the 50-meter run and tennis ball throw, but did not make the trip to State.