SCAC Selected for National Recognition in NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight

(Story courtesy SCACSports.com)

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- After hosting a Special Olympics event at the 2016 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championship, the league has been selected as one of three institutions or conferences to be recognized by the NCAA Division III for the Special Olympics Spotlight.

To vote for the SCAC in the April Special Olympics Spotlight poll, go here.

The SCAC, along with Salem State and the UMAC have been selected as the nominees for the month of April.

In February, eight members of the Lewisville Lightning swim team had the opportunity to demonstrate their swimming skills as the team performed just prior to the third night of finals competition.

Some of the loudest cheers of the four-day championship were reserved for the Lightning swim team as they marched to the starting blocks and entered the competition pool. With SCAC student-athletes surrounding the pool and every patron on their feet, the athletes competed in a 25-meter swim as well as two relays.

Following their swim, the team hung around to chat with several SCAC student-athletes and also took a group photo atop the championship awards stand.

"I want to thank the Lewisville ISD Lightning for taking the time to come out to our championships," said SCAC commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. "The spirit and desire of these athletes to compete at the highest possible level is truly inspiring, and it was an honor to provide them an opportunity to showcase their skills."

The story with the highest number of votes on April 25 is the winner. The poll will close at midnight ET. The winning institution or conference office will be given $500 to use for its next Special Olympics event. The winning story will also be recognized in the Division III Monthly Newsletter and on the Division III homepage.

To read more about NCAA Division III's partnership with Special Olympics, click here.