Jake Lieser to compete at Special Olympics nationals

Waseca resident Jake Lieser, 28, names friends he has made from across the state and even around the country thanks to his participation in Special Olympics. “It’s all about the connections,” he says of the nationwide program which brings neurodiverse individuals together for sports competitions of many types.

 

Lieser learned this past May that he is among the 200 or so athletes on “Team Minnesota,” the group representing the state in the national competition from June 20 to 26 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Nationals are held only once every four years.

 

A participant in track and field, he is slated to compete in the Men’s 4 x 100 meter relay, the 400 meter walk, and shotput. He says he not only enjoys taking part in his own categories, but also cheering on fellow athletes. He mentions an impressive array of sports including field hockey, basketball, swimming, bocce ball, golf, flag football, and–at least in Minnesota–cornhole. 

 

Team Minnesota gathered at Treasure Island Resort in mid-September for what Lieser called a “meet and greet” event. About 260 people including the athletes, family members and staff spent a large share of the weekend learning about the schedule and details of the national competition, being fitted for their uniforms in a maroon and gold color theme, and gathering for practices to “get to know each others’ strengths and weaknesses when it comes to competition.”

 

Lieser reveals he first joined Special Olympics as part of a field hockey team in Faribault at the age of 12, and has competed regularly ever since. He has advanced as high as regional competition, a level above state, a number of times. While training and preparing for competition is important, he says the most valuable aspect of the games is giving everyone a place where they feel valued and appreciated.

 

“At a Special Olympics competition, you see a lot of cheerfulness,” he observes. “The athletes are cheering for their teammates, the families are cheering. It’s very loud in a really good way.”

 

Lieser mentions the national event is only 260-some days away. “That will go by quickly,” he says. Lieser has worked at the south Kwik Trip in Waseca for the past eight years. He says he’s grateful for the support of his employer and his co-workers.

 

He also describes his determination to do well at a slightly different form of competition which will begin next spring. “It’s a ‘peer-to-peer’ contest,” he explains. “The two athletes who raise the most money will be the first two members of the team to step out during the opening ceremonies.

 

“I’m going to work really hard to be one of those two people.”