The Register’s All-Iowa program honors the top athletes in 21 boys’ and girls’ high school sports in Iowa.
We also honor one additional group — the roughly 2,500 boys and girls who compete in the summer games of Special Olympics Iowa, which began Thursday in Ames.
These All-Iowa team recipients listed below were chosen by Special Olympics Iowa and “represent the spirit of the Special Olympics Iowa movement and have gone above and beyond to show their dedication to sport and sportsmanship. They represent SOIA in competitions, service to their fellow athletes, and leadership within the organization and their community,” according to the organization.
“We are very excited to recognize our outstanding athletes again this year along with all of the other top athletes in the state,” John Kliegl, president and CEO of Special Olympics Iowa, said. “These athletes work hard to compete in their sports, and serve as leaders not only on their Special Olympics teams, but also in their schools and communities. We are proud to have them representing Special Olympics Iowa.”
All-Iowa athletes will be honored at the Des Moines Register Sports Awards on June 23 at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines. Tennis icon Venus Williams is the guest speaker and CBS Sports’ Chris Hassel will emcee the event.
Unified teams/partners
Christina and Natalie Rasmussen
Sioux City
Sports: Swimming, soccer, softball, basketball, bowling
Christina is a senior at Sioux City North High School and her sister, Natalie, attends Sioux City Middle School. Both are heavily involved: Christina works at Goodwill and manages North’s high school football team and girls’ basketball team. Natalie is involved with other school sports.
Daniel Foster, Ryan Smith and Brady Larson
Sioux City
Sports: Bowling, soccer, track and field
Daniel, Ryan and Brady are eighth-graders at West Middle School in Sioux City. All three members support each other at both Special Olympics events and in everyday life. The three won a gold medal at state bowling this year.
Joe Morgan and AJ Bull
Pleasantville
Sports: Track and field, bowling, dance, basketball
Joe Morgan and AJ Bull participate in the 400-meter relay race and won gold in the 2017 State Summer Games. Joe and AJ are also on the Pleasantville Middle school track team.
Female finalists
Alexis Wilcox
Winterset
Sports: Bowling, swimming, track and field
Alexis has been involved with Special Olympics Iowa since she was 8. She is lauded for her sportsmanship. She is supportive of other athletes and willing to help others.
Emma Holmes
Sioux City
Sports: Bowling, volleyball, basketball, bocce, track and field
Emma is a seventh-grader at West Middle School in Sioux City. Her favorite part about Special Olympics is making new friends. Her favorite sports are bocce and bowling.
Jaida Holmes
Sioux City
Sports: Bowling, volleyball, basketball, bocce, track and field
Jaida is a seventh-grader at West Middle School in Sioux City. Her favorite part of Special Olympics is making new friends. Her favorite sports and events are bocce, long jump and running.
Male finalists
Nathan Benge
Fort Madison
Sports: Swimming, basketball, track and field, bowling
Nathan is a senior at Fort Madison High School and has been involved with Special Olympics Iowa for more than 10 years. He developed a personal goal of becoming more involved with Special Olympics by becoming a volunteer.
Hunter Ruby
Treynor
Sports: Bowling, basketball, track and field
Hunter is a senior in high school and has been involved with Special Olympics Iowa for years. Hunter competes in bowling, basketball and other athletic events. Hunter works hard not only at practice for Special Olympics, but in his school work as well.
Tristan Bohn
Cedar Rapids
Sports: Swimming
Tristian is 15 years old and attends Linn Mar High School in Cedar Rapids. He has been involved with Special Olympics Iowa since elementary school, starting out in track and field, bowling, basketball and softball.
Sports awards info
The Des Moines Register Sports Awards recognizes and honors top athletes from across the state of Iowa in 21 sports. This event is hosted by the Des Moines Register and will take place June 23 at Wells Fargo Arena. The show features various awards, contests and a special appearance from Venus Williams.
Ticket info: General admission tickets are now on sale for the Des Moines Register Sports Awards. Purchase your tickets at SportsAwards.DesMoinesRegister.com.
Athletes: Each honored athlete will receive one complementary ticket. Athletes will be contacted by their athletic director or coach with details on how to RSVP for the event.
General admission: Public tickets are on sale.
Individual ticket price: $35 plus service fees.
Family four-pack ticket price: $112 plus service fees.
Student ticket price: $25 plus service fees. Limited two per order. Use promo code STUDENT at checkout.
Merchandise: Sports Awards T-shirts, tank tops and more are on sale now at ShopDMRegister.com/SportsAwards.
Hotel: Discounted hotel rooms are available at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel. Book at http://dmreg.co/SAHotel or call 1-800-514-4706 and ask for the “Des Moines Register All Iowa Sports Awards group block.”