Janet Jakusz has been volunteering her time and talents for years, and now it is her turn to be in the spotlight. And she is all smiles.

“I’m excited,” Jakusz said.

Jakusz is one of 16 athletes competing with Stevens Point YMCA (Agency 2-25) in the Wisconsin State Special Olympics Summer Games set for Thursday, June 8, through Sunday, June 11, on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) campus. It is the first time she has qualified for state.

“I like it because I can do it,” said Jakusz, who after volunteering at the Summer Games the past eight years will compete in the 100-meter and 25-meter walk. “I’m happy I made it to state. I want to try to beat my time.”

Nearly 1,500 athletes will compete in athletics (track and field), aquatics, soccer and power lifting, among them the YMCA group and athletes from Stevens Point Area Senior High School (Agency 2-14). Athletics, aquatics and soccer will be at the UWSP campus, while powerlifting events will take place at the Stevens Point YMCA, 1000 Division St., Stevens Point.

In its 38th year in Stevens Point, the State Summer Games draws nearly 650 coaches and more than 600 volunteers annually not to mention the hundreds of fans that meet here from across the state to cheer on the athletes.

The economic effect of incoming participants and spectators comes in about $230 spent per party at hotels, local businesses, attractions, shopping, convenience stores and restaurants during the event dates. Hotels alone traditionally see an influx of overnight stays about 45 percent more than similar weeks in June.

But the impact of the Games flows beyond mere economics.

“The athletes and their supporters are one of the most delightful groups we host all year,” said Sara Brish, executive director of Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. “Excitement is felt on the field and throughout the community during their entire event. We are honored to continue to be the host destination for this event year after year.”

For the athletes, ages 19 through 80 at the YMCA, the Olympics is not just a culmination of events they’ve been working towards, it is an accomplishment, and a sense of pride and community.

It is one of the best aspects of working with the athletes, said Kristy Bridenhagen, director of the YMCA’s adaptive recreation and gymnastics program, under which the Special Olympics program falls.

“What I really enjoy seeing is with every athlete, they have their highs and their lows and they never stop trying their best,” she said. “And they always do it with a smile on their faces. They never cease to amaze me.”

Take Nicole Pliska, for example. Though she has volunteered for about a year and a half, Pliska is in her first year competing in Special Olympics and is making great strides as she embarks on her first state competition in the 25-meter walk and softball throw.

Pliska used to be nearly homebound, but has found a new place to shine with the YMCA programs, she said.

“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” she said. “A lot of my friends inspire me and encourage me to never give up.”

Adam Daniewicz, who has participated at state Special Olympics for 15 years, finds himself in semi-new territory as well. An aquatics athlete, he has shifted gears to compete in the bench press, dead lift and combination of bench and dead lifts.

“I wanted something new to challenge myself,” he said. “It’s nice because I’ve gotten more strength … I’ve gotten closer to the guys, we have more of a bond now. I’m more outgoing since then.”

Many of the athletes participate in events – as well as practice and training – throughout the year. Jakusz also participates in bowling (her favorite), Pliska just started with bowling and bocce, and Daniewicz has competed in bowling, basketball, softball and flag football also.

The competition is important, they all said, but moreso it is the camaraderie that keeps them going, and a drive to be the best they can.

“It’s not necessarily the gold medal,” Daniewicz said. “It’s just pushing myself each year to get better.”

SPASH coach Trina Laube did not respond to the Gazette by production deadline. The list of YMCA athletes competing in the state Special Olympics Summer Games includes:

Athletics (Track and Field)

Evan Cherney – 25-Meter Walk, Softball Throw

Mary Hagen – 100-Meter Run, Standing Long Jump

YeJin Harrison – Softball Throw, Standing Long Jump

*Janet Jakusz – 100-Meter Walk, 25-Meter Walk

Steve Karpinen – 50-Meter Run, Softball Throw

Katie Maes – 100-Meter Walk, 400-Meter Walk

*Nicole Pliska – 25-Meter Walk, Softball Throw

Swimming

David Akey – 100-Meter Breaststroke, 100-Meter Freestyle

Eric Iverson – 100-Meter Butterfly, 100-Meter Individual Medley

Chris Lyons – 25-Meter Backstroke, 25-Meter Freestyle

Laura Rusch – 25-Meter Backstroke,

Valerie VanAsten – 25-Meter Backstroke, 25-Meter Freestyle

Power Lifting

Joe Anderson – Bench Press, Dead Lift, Combination of Bench & Dead Lifts

Ben Burow – Bench Press, Dead Lift, Squat, Combination of Bench, Dead and Squat Lifts

Adam Daniewicz – Bench Press, Dead Lift, Combination of Bench & Dead Lifts

Dan Omernik – Bench Press, Dead Lift, Squat, Combination of Bench, Dead & Squat Lifts

* First time competing in Athletics at State