On February 12th, the excitement was electric as a group of incredible Cypress athletes arrived at Fort Myers High School, ready to compete and show their strength, speed, and skill. These athletes – Ryan, Jada, Marcus, Gaby, and Xavier – had trained hard and their determination shone as brightly as the morning sun.

Along with the athletes came their dedicated aides, students without disabilities who act as “buddies” for the athletes, including Dobbin Greer, Natheniel James, Trevor Whiteside, and Evan Skaggs. These students were just as eager, ready to support and cheer them on. The bleachers buzzed with energy as the events kicked off, starting with the 100-meter dash. As the runners took their marks, Coach Megan Dusenberry made sure all of her athletes were ready, giving a last bit of encouragement. Feet pounded against the track as the crowd roared, with Marcus surging ahead in the final moments and crossing the finish line in first place.

Next came shot put, where strength and precision were the keys to success. One by one, the athletes took their turns, gripping the heavy metal ball and pushing it into the air with all their might. Cheers erupted as Evan Skaggs threw the shot 53 feet! That alone secured another victory for Cypress Lake.

Finally, it was time for long jump. The sandpit was prepped, and the athletes lined up, ready to take their leaps. Nate encouraged them to give it their best effort. Each competitor sprinted down the track before launching into the air, soaring like champions. Ryan who is the legs of the team went 8 feet with his jump! Though they took second place in the event, this was still a good day for Cypress Lake High School! More important than the medals was the pure joy on the athletes’ faces.

As the day came to a close, Dobbin, Megan, Nate, Evan, And Trevor, huddled together buzzing with excitement about not only the exciting story to tell but the lives we changed on this momentous Friday!