Nearly 250 spectators and around 150 athletes will pack Dodger Stadium on Friday for the annual competition.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies at which supporters of Special Olympics who have passed away recently will be honored.

“It’s kind of bittersweet,” said Liz Rusher, who has been co-director for 37 years. “We honored Jody Halverson at our basketball event and now we will honor more for our track and field.”

Rusher, who is co-director of North Central Area Special Olympics with Lee DeCicco, said they will honor Lis Ristau, Tim Flaherty, Charles Johnson, Donna Gutknecht and Laurie Mullen who have all been big supporters of Special Olympics.

-Messenger file photo
Fans cheer on competitors at Dodger Stadium in the 2019 Special Olympics event.

Ristau, who was employed in the Fort Dodge Community School District for 17 years, died in 2021. During her time in the district, Ristau was the director of special education and was principal at Riverside Early Learning Center.

“Lis was just a dynamic, fun person,” Rusher siad. “She was just such a fun person and was all about the kids and staff.

“She had a heart of gold.”

Flaherty, who was store director at Hy-Vee, and Mullen both helped out with the kids and Special Olympics any way they could.

Johnson was a para in the district and was also a big supporter.

“Mr. Johnson was very active in sports and in the classroom,” Rusher said. “When we were out at events and the kids were cold, he would borrow them gloves and just love being a part of it.”

Gutknecht, a former Webster County treasurer who was known as the “Cookie Lady” will also be honored.

“For years she would bake cookies with the Women’s Club and bring them to the events,” Rusher said. “Then later she would buy them herself and bring them to the kids, they just thought that was the coolest thing.”

After the opening ceremony, the events will kick off at 9:30 a.m.

“We try to keep the signing up period open as long as we can to get as many kids into the events as possible,” Rusher said. “The kids and families love to be at the Special Olympics.”

Along with bowling and basketball, track and field is a highlight for the Special Olympians.

“Some parents have special needs children and non-special needs children, and for the special needs kids, this may be their one time to shine,” Rusher said. “This is their one cool thing and for them to be in the limelight.

“It’s important to have fans and siblings and other family members there cheering them on.”