Local S.O.A.R program manager coaching snowshoeing at Special Olympics World Games

Posted on March 13, 2017

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington-Normal S.O.A.R. program manager is heading to Austria this week for the Special Olympics World Games as the head coach of USA Snowshoeing.

Maggie Rutenbeck told WJBC’s Marc Strauss she’ll be coaching 26 athletes from across the country.

“I’ve been involved with Special Olympics Illinois snowshoeing since its inception,” said Rutenbeck. “Technically with snowshoeing you don’t actually need snow to train. It’s possible to do on grass. Sand is actually an ideal training surface.”

The snowshoeing events ranging from the 25-meter to the 800-meter. Rutenbeck explained she’s already met the athletes she’ll be coaching during a training camp in Vermont in December.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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