Adaptive Sports League blossoms into spring through Wildcat whiffling

Beyond the May flowers, a competitive atmosphere has likewise sprouting in spring. The Adaptive Sports League started their wiffle ball season on May 2, beaming with joy ever since. West teacher Stephanie Polak has been heavily involved with the league.

“The adaptive sports league was started about two years ago, now and it’s for students with disabilities that want to participate and be a part of an athletic event,” she said. 

Polak plays an essential role in getting kids to and from games and practices.

“Mr. Schreiber and I have about 16 kids on our caseload that participate in the events,” she said. “We help get them to practice during the seasons and we also help get fan support for home games.” 

Ever since the spring season started, Coach Jessica Kloss has noticed upbeat attitudes in everyone.

“The kids are having a great time in practice,” she said. “We are working on tossing and catching the ball.”

Keeping her eye on the ball, Kloss has already deployed tactics to improve such skills.

“At our most recent practice we had the kids sit in a circle and bounce a ball to another teammate,” she said. “The kids really enjoyed this activity and it helps with their hand-eye coordination.”

Coach Pierce Geffers lives for the improvement already seen in the early weeks of the season.

“We lost a few players from last year but gained a few new ones this year,” he said. “I really like seeing the progress from last year by our returning athletes as well as the in-season progress with our new athletes.”

Geffers believes the meaning of ASL is important and creates opportunities.

“The ASL program allows our student-athletes to learn new skills in a team environment and helps them feel like they are more a part of their school community,” he said. “They wear their jerseys on game days, the fans do a great job of celebrating them not only during games but also in the halls. I continually see West students saying hi to the players and I can see their faces light up with excitement. They feel welcomed, and that is one of the most important parts of these young adults' lives.”

Polak has witnessed her students benefit from this ever since it began.

“They want to represent their school by being a Wildcat and this is an opportunity for them just to be a part of a team and have their school back them,” she said.

According to Geffers, the best part of the program appears off the field.

“My favorite part is seeing their excitement in games when they see all their friends and families in the stands cheering for them,” he said. “Their excitement is so pure and honest; it can only make me smile.”

Kloss shares the same sentiments. 

“The best part is the smiles on the athlete's faces,” she said. “I know that they are having fun when I see the smiles on their faces and that is the most important thing about this program.”

Kloss finds that the athletes reap benefits from that feeling.

“This program gives the athletes the opportunity to play a high school sport, but most importantly

I think this program gives the athletes a place to bond with their peers,” she said. “The athletes are growing

in this program by learning the sports that we play, but they are also building close relationships with their teammates.”

Plans to improve the program are already in place as the season zooms into spring. 

“The ultimate goal is to have a full conference with area high schools,” Geffers said. “As of right now, I believe the three Appleton Area High Schools are in the process of creating teams, which is awesome for the growth of our program.”

Expansion has already begun as seen in Oshkosh North's new program, started by Korey Kleinhans. He started it to give a sense of hope and positivity and go against common beliefs. 

 “When a person with a disability is born, the family of that person typically doesn't think their child will have the opportunity to participate in sports,” he said. “But this program provides that equal opportunity. The adapted sports league allows for students with disabilities to be held accountable, increases their communication skills, social skills, time management skills, leadership skills, and understanding what it takes to be an athlete.”

Looking back on all the memories is bittersweet. For Kloss, it’s impossible to pick her favorite one. 

“I do not think I could pick just one memory from the program,” she said. “I love working with the athletes and seeing the hard work that they put in every week. They really give it their all when they are playing. I think being given the opportunity to be a part of this program and working with the athletes top my list for favorite memory.”

Kleinhan treasures every moment, but finds the most joy when it all comes together.

“The joy on the athletes’ faces and the amazement of what started as an idea ended up turning into reality for the Oshkosh Area School District is my favorite memory.”

By Sophie Carlin

May 22 2023

Oshkosh West index Volume 119 Issue VIII