LOCAL CHAMPION

Thompson Falls resident, Shawn McKahan has officially signed his commitment to compete in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida. McKahan was formally drafted in a ceremony held in the Black Bear ballroom last week. The room was filled with family, friends, teachers and Sanders County Sheriff's officers, who were all there to commemorate the moment with McKahan. Also present and showing their support were McKahan's fellow Super Hawks teammates.

McKahan, 32, will compete in track and field when he goes to nationals next year. "I started running the 100 meter and 200 meter in 2009," McKahan said. "I started cross country in eighth grade and I wish I would have done it in high school." McKahan listed several reasons why he's choosing to compete in track and field and why he continues to stay involved in the sport today. "Walking and running can keep you in shape. It builds stamina, lung capacity and muscle memory," he said.

Karen Knutson has been coaching McKahan and the Super Hawks team for 11 years. When she received the call from Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) directors letting her know McKahan was in consideration for nationals, she described a moment of complete surprise. "I cried," Knutson said. "I broke down and cried. It's a huge honor to be picked to represent the state, especially coming from a small town like this one."

Knutson interviewed with directors from SOMT on McKahan's qualifications and his desire to compete. "They asked me about his demeanor, his attitude. They asked me if he followed directions and they asked me if he was independent," she said. According to Knutson, a competitor's ability to show they are independent is a major consideration in order to qualify to compete in nationals.

"He's completely independent," Knutson said. "He qualified because his mom has done such a good job of making him so independent." Knutson also stated McKahan is a good sportsman and encouraging to those around him.

"He always keeps in touch and is in constant contact with me," said Shawn's mother, Linda McKahan. MaKahan's independence has led him to be a familiar face around town, as he is a prep cook at Minnie's Café and a regular at all the sporting events at Thompson Falls High School. "This is something that just doesn't happen," Linda said. "This magnitude is beyond our comprehension. It's overwhelming because it's such a big deal." Knutson added, "if he does well at nationals, he could go to the international games which are hosted around the world."

Knutson said because the Super Hawks is such a small team, they automatically all qualify to compete at the state level. However, McKahan was the only competitor chosen in Sanders County to represent Team Montana in Florida. While McKahan's trip is fully paid for by SOMT, between now and next year, Knutson will be looking for fundraising opportunities as the USA Games will be held at Walt Disney World Resort. "For Shawn to be able to represent the State of Montana, Sanders County and the Super Hawks is huge and we will support him any way we can," Knutson said.

While sports may be McKahan's main passion in life, a close second is music. "I'm a big 70s and 90s kind of guy," he said. "I'm also a classic rock and roll kind of guy thanks to my dad. Sometimes I'll listen to country, but I still like rock and roll." McKahan listed several of his favorites as well as their release dates. "There's 'You give love a bad name' by Bon Jovi, 'I don't want to miss a thing' by Aerosmith and 'Summer of '69' by Bryan Adams." McKahan says the song he plays to get the crowd going at sporting events is "Welcome to the Jungle"' by Guns N' Roses. "I'm so proud of what he's accomplished and not just in the special Olympics, but in everything," Linda said.

Jamie Wood, Vice President of Sports for SOMT, officiated McKahan's draft. Wood said only 18 competitors were chosen out of the 3,000 athletes in Montana's program. "In order to get into the qualifications, athletes had to win gold in previous competitions," Wood said. "Of course, we are choosing from 2019, because that's the last time we saw any of them in person. Shawn was one of those gold medal winners from track and field." Wood was also surprised to see the amount of support for Shawn at the event. "This is the biggest crowd I've seen so far," she said.

Wood recorded the event, documenting McKahan accepting the nomination. Alongside the other Montana draft picks, the series will be shown on SOMT's YouTube channel later in July. "This is the official selection to Team Montana for the 2022 special Olympic games," Wood told family and friends in the audience.

"These kids are super, they're the best ever and they will absolutely make your life better," Knutson said. Following McKahan's draft, guests enjoyed cookies and cupcakes while they signed a poster McKahan will be bringing with him to Florida next year. "We don't use the word disabled," Linda said. "We say differently abled, they are not disabled because they can still do things, which is like every other human being."