Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/124924
SPORTS Page 2B • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove MAY 2013 Students with disabilities get help East's Novak among players picked Feds clarify schools' legal obligations By Mark Hutchinson Freeman Staff WAUKESHA – Wisconsin high school athletic programs are running ahead of the curve. And several Waukesha County schools are among the pacesetters. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued information recently that clarifies a school district's existing legal obligations to provide equal access to extracurricular athletic activities to students with disabilities. The guidelines urge school districts to work with community organizations to increase athletic opportunities for students with disabilities both within and outside the existing extracurricular athletic programs. "There are a number of dimensions to this," WIAA Executive Director Dave Anderson said. "We have had language that allows for kids playing football with prosthetic limbs, ports for diabetic treatment for swimmers, ostomy bags for wrestlers ... you have to make adjustments when these cases and others arise, but you get it done. "You learn as you go. I can't say we have everything in place that someone could want, but our members have tried to present opportunities when the inquiries are made known to them. For example, we have had six or eight different events in the state track meet for disabled athletes. "Another dimension worth mentioning is that we have some phenomenal Special Olympics people in the state. The job those people do is outstanding. If we look at it from all angles, I would hope the youngsters with special needs have had those needs met either through the WIAA, Special Olympics or other providers who have poured a lot of love into these programs." Cale Vogel, Brookfield East High School's athletic director, said East already has incorporated students with disabilities into various school programs. "We have numerous students with disabilities who are involved in regular activities," Vogel said. "We're looking at the directive and looking to follow it as it is written. We look forward to future students who happen to be disabled and working with them to participate in athletic or other co-curricular activities. "We do a pretty good job of accommodating parents who have such inquiries. We look to try to find ways to help them out." Oconomowoc High School Principal Joseph Moylan believes the recent clarification by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights needs some clarification of its own. "It's difficult to ascertain whether this directive is talking about students with emotional and learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities," Moylan said. "At Oconomowoc High School, we have always included everyone. We have done whatever we've needed to do to make it possible for all kids to be included here. "Certainly Melanie Watson is an obvious example, but there have been lots of other students who have either physical, emotional or learning disabilities who have been a big part of our success in a number of sports for a number of years." Watson, a senior at Oconomowoc, was born with spina bifida, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. She has won consecutive WIAA state championships in the 100meter wheelchair dash and 1,600 wheelchair run. She also placed second in the 800 wheelchair run and in the 1,600 wheelchair run in last year's state meet. Watson was named a 2012 High School All-American by the United States Para- All-star basketball games in June dom received inquiries from parents of disabled students about opportunities to participate in sports here, but I would assume it's going to get attention now that this law has come into play." Two Waukesha County high schools have established separate programs to accommodate athletes with disabilities. "Arrowhead has a Special Olympics program for volleyball and basketball that we're very proud of," Arrowhead Athletic Director Kevin Flegner said. "We have won multiple state championships in those sports, so they are something we recognize and honor. "Our motto here is, 'Something for everyone.' We'll do our very best to meet the needs of our entire student population. At the end of the day, I think each school will handle it differently according to what the need is. I think we're in a good situation here with our Special Olympics program." WAUKESHA – Ten players – including Brookfield East's Mike Novak – and five coaches from Waukesha County have been selected to participate in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association all-star games this summer. On the South roster for the boys game are Novak, Waukesha West's Tyler Domenoski, and Arrowhead's Kenny Finco in Division 1, along with Catholic Memorial's Ty Sabin in Division 2. Mukwonago's Jim Haasser is one of three coaches picked to guide the Division 1 South team, while Catholic Memorial's Dean Bellanti is one of three Division 2 coaches. Waukesha West's Kianna Keller, Waukesha South's Lexi Weitzer, Mukwonago's Jenny Tuttle and Menomonee Falls' Erin Crownover were picked for the girls Division 1 South team, while New Berlin West's Beth VerHaagh and New Berlin Eisenhower's Jenny Weiland were selected for the Division 2 South team. Muskego's Brian Hirtz and Dan Mlachnik and Arrowhead's Rick Witte will coach the girls Division 1 South team. The games will be played at JustAgame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells. Girls games will be played Friday, June 14, beginning at 9 a.m., while the boys games will be played June 15 beginning at 9 a.m. Email: mhutchinson@conleynet.com – Freeman Staff Nicholas Dettmann/Conley News Service Oconomowoc's Melanie Watson competes in the 1,600-meter wheelchair race during the 2012 WIAA State Track and Field Championship at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. lympic committee and was recently named to the U-23 United States Junior World Team that will compete in the Junior World Meet in Puerto Rico in August. "The staff at Oconomowoc High School has been phenomenal," said Joel Watson, Melanie's father. "When Melanie came in as a freshman four years ago, it was the first year the WIAA allowed wheelchair track and field at the state meet in La Crosse and made it a separate division. "Right from the start, her coaches jumped right in and basically treated and trained her as just another able-bodied athlete. She trains the same number of days and attends the same meets. Melanie's phy ed teachers also allowed her participation with the ablebodied students. She also was able to do wheelchair tennis and basketball." Joel Watson hopes his daughter's acceptance and success as a high school athlete encourages others to follow her. "Melanie feels that she has had to be a pioneer the last four years and hopes the momentum continues and opens up more avenues for kids with disabilities," Joel Watson said. "She wishes there was more competition. In many meets, she is the only wheelchair athlete out there on the track. "Many parents or kids think that just because they have a disability, they have the attitude that, 'I can't do that.' But the sky is the limit as to what they can do. There are resources out there for these kids to participate or adapt in playing everyday sports." Dan Domach shared a story similar to Watson's. "Leah Quadracci (a 2012 South graduate) went to state for two straight years to compete in the shot put," said Domach, the Waukesha South High School athletic director. "In her first year there, she was a state champion. Her coach, Eric Lehmann, told me that was probably one of the most rewarding pieces of his coaching career. "Track and field is the one area where disabled athletes seem to be getting most involved. We've sel- 231933002 SHOP We make buying easy. Upscale Women's Consignment Come see what's new for Spring! Elite Repeat EliteRepeatClothing.com at the Retzer Nature Center Spring Sale th May 11 , 2013 9 am - Noon • Rain or Shine GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE PLEASE CALL AHEAD FOR CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING / PURSES / SHOES / JEWELRY ONLY $ $ 45 Bring in this ad and receive 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE Consignment Hours: Mon. 10am-6pm; Wed. thru Sat. 10am-2pm Store Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 10am-7pm; Sat. 10am-5pm Expires 5-31-13 Ruby Isle Shopping Center 2205 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield 262-789-9359 • www.eliterepeatclothing.com 231852002 One Day Sale! Also purchase your native plants! Retzer Nature Center S14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha For more information: 262-896-8300 Downtown Waukesha has become a bustling hub of excitement, and one of the State's best-kept secrets. Historic Downtown Waukesha In-Store Specials! Built on Generations of Trust 234 W. Main St. Downtown Waukesha Donna Krumrich-Manke 232022004 262-547-7206 Over 105 Years www.krumrichsjewelers.com Rate us on friend us on 232022003