Council honors Yol Flip Special Olympics gymnastics team

The Springfield City Council recognized the Yol Flip Gymnastics Special Olympics team at its June 16 meeting, honoring athletes who advanced to the 2026 Special Olympics State Competition. Coach Ann Wells told the council the program has operated in Springfield for 15 years and that 12 athletes competed this season, with multiple gymnasts earning gold medals on one or more events to qualify for state.

Coach Ann Wells said the team travelled to Southern Illinois for regionals and that six gymnasts attended the state meet the previous weekend at the Gossamer Arena. "We had a wonderful time," Wells said, adding that the athletes enjoyed their Special Olympics experience and competed with determination and sportsmanship.

Mayor Busher and council members presented certificates and posed for photographs with the athletes, who were named at the meeting as Hannah Anderson, Andrea Herano, Princess Duckworth, Clarissa Ferry, Marissa Deiv and Lexi Blank. The council applauded the athletes' achievements and encouraged public recognition of community sports and adaptive athletics programs.

The recognition was brief and ceremonial; no formal council action was required. The presentation highlighted local volunteer coaching and the city's support for programs that provide athletes with competitive and recreational opportunities.