30 Under 30: Stacey Kohler, 29
Last summer, long-distance runner Stacey Kohler became the first athlete from the Delta branch of Special Olympics B.C. to ever compete at a world games.
And she didn't come back empty handed. At the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Athens, Greece, Kohler won a bronze medal in the 3,000-metre race with a time of 15:18.74. She also competed in the 1,500 metres, coming in sixth place with a time of 7:30.3.
"Being the first athlete from Delta to go to worlds, to represent Delta, was certainly an honour," says her mother Beryl. "Just being there (in Athens) and meeting all those new people and being able to participate was just incredible."
A South Surrey resident, Kohler has been with the Delta chapter of Special Olympics B.C. since its inception and has built a strong rapport with her coaches and fellow athletes.
She has competed in two Special Olympics provincial games, and went to her first national games in London, Ontario in 2010 where she won three gold medals (and three personal best times).
With track and field season starting up again, Kohler will soon be looking to qualify to compete at the 2013 Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games to be held in Langley.
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