Nazareth Women's Soccer/Track & Field Raise Over $3000 At Polar Plunge
ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth women's soccer team and the track and field squads were "Freezin' For a Reason" on Sunday as they took part in the 17
th annual Polar Plunge along Lake Ontario. Members of the soccer team collected over 2,000 dollars and the track and field over 1,300 for the event which raises money for Special Olympics New York. In all, over 260,000 dollars was raised for the event to help athletes in the Special Olympics take their talents to the state, national, and possibly global level.
Following a few hours of pump-up preparation, members of both teams and other "plungers" took to the frigid 39-degree waters of Lake Ontario around noon on Sunday.
"This is this first time that we have done this as a team," said head coach
Gail Mann. "It is a truly a great event and I am so proud of the girls for their efforts."
Coach Mann was overly impressed with freshman
Mia Strollo who dove face first into the water.
"In just a short period of time, the team was able to raise a significant amount of money," said track and field head coach
James Goss. "I'm very proud of their efforts, especially those who were crazy enough to jump in the water."
Special Olympics New York has over 67,000 athletes training and competing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. Money raised through the plunge helps ensure Special Olympians and their families never have to pay for competition.