Johnston’s first Unified Sports team hosts home opener

By Clara Toot, JCSD Communications Specialist

The Unified Sports team at their practice on Jan. 25

JOHNSTON, Ia. (Jan. 31, 2025) — Johnston High School is breaking barriers with the introduction of Unified Sports, a Special Olympics program integrating students of all abilities. Johnston’s Unified Sports team will play its first ever home basketball game at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Johnston High School during the district’s annual “Coaches vs. Cancer” event at halftime of the varsity girls game.

Since its beginning in 1989, Special Olympics’ Unified Sports has joined people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports team, promoting social inclusion through shared training and competition experiences.

Johnston is one of only three Unified Sports teams in the Central Iowa Metro League (CIML), joining Ankeny and Southeast Polk. This year, eight Johnston athletes are participating in basketball and track and field. They’ve also signed up for additional events at the Special Olympics in the summer.

“I believe in sports and activities being a strong asset for all kids — anywhere they are in life,” said Heather Semelmacher, Johnston’s activities and athletics director. “Participating in sports releases endorphins, keeps students active and helps them stay on top of academics. We are excited to help students of all abilities excel at sports and activities in Johnston.”

Making more sports available

Semelmacher has been passionate about inclusive sports since college, where she volunteered with Special Olympics. When she began her job at Johnston schools in 2023, Semelmacher wanted to make more sports programs available for students with unique needs.

“Johnston has many sports teams; we have always prided ourselves in our high level of competition,” Semelmacher shares. “What I felt we were missing was encompassing our whole student body into the activities world, including our students with disabilities.”

With that in mind, Semelmacher connected with parents in the community. After receiving a grant of $1,000, her vision became a reality. One large supporter of the program was Jenny Gray, now Johnston’s Unified Sports coach, whose daughter Katie is an active participant in Special Olympics.

“The Unified Sports program encompasses the idea of inclusion in schools, which is near and dear to my heart, inspired by my daughter and the students I’ve worked with,” Gray shared. “When I found out Heather was wanting to bring Unified Sports to Johnston, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

Gray has been coaching her daughter Katie in Special Olympics for four years. She is passionate about Katie and her friends having experiences that allow them to build their skills and be a part of something new.

“The fact that our school sees the importance of making Unified Sports available to our students speaks volumes to the level of commitment to inclusion and making new opportunities available to more students,” Gray said. “This program truly is magical in how it brings everyone together and shows our students with disabilities that they really do matter in our school community!”

Building on basic skills

Johnston’s initial Unified Sports basketball practices focused on basic skills like dribbling, ball handling and passing. As basic skills improved, the athletes have been able to build on those basic skills to simulate using those skills in a game situation. Current practices focus on dribbling up and down the court, completing successful passes and focusing on rebounding and defense. Athletes love ending practice by scrimmaging with each other.

“Watching these athletes continue to improve and even surprise themselves is the most rewarding part of this program,” Gray said. “I cherish the meaningful bonds I’m able to build with my athletes so that they trust me to teach them how to play sports.

Athletes have also loved the experience.

“Unified sports makes me feel happy,” JHS senior Jaylyn Jackson said. “My whole family played basketball when they were in high school–including my dad, who passed away. He played basketball, which was one of the reasons I also chose to play.”

Jackson is in basketball, track and Sparkle Cheerleading, the high school’s inclusive cheerleading squad. Jackson’s favorite part of basketball is taking control of the ball and dribbling down the court.

“My mom has been very proud of me because I’ve been making baskets,” Jackson shared.

Jackson and her teammates are excited to showcase the basketball skills they have learned at the first home game on Feb. 4 at Johnston High School.