Alpena’s Amanda Frey wins gold medals at Special Olympics State Summer Games
ALPENA, Mich. — Special Olympics Michigan has been around for fifty years giving athletes the chance to compete and have fun. There are so many different events to choose from, and one Alpena student decided to push her boundaries and take on a new challenge.
“I got gold medals at Special Olympics,” said Alpena student Amanda Frey.
The athlete has used an electric wheelchair since she was five-years-old, and when it comes to driving decisions she uses her head pushing buttons on the back, top of her chair.
“Forward or backwards, and then these turn to the side, and this one changes the gears.” said caregiver Faith Schultz. “There’s a slow and then a fast.”
Frey loves driving fast, and she was inspired to compete in the wheelchair races for Special Olympics because of her favorite NASCAR driver.
“I love Brad Kesowlowski,” said Frey.
Frey loves racing because she can drive like Keselowski, who is from Rochester Hills, Michigan. Frey took her interest to the track and field State Summer Games becoming the first student from Alpena to compete in the Special Olympics wheelchair races. She drove in the 25 meter obstacle race and the 30 and 50 meter slalom.
“Did you have fun,” said sports anchor Larissa Liska. “Yeah,” said Frey.
In the end, it’s not all about winning medals. For Frey she just wants to go fast.