Special moments in store for Lynx junior dream team

More than a dozen Waconia area youth recently signed with the Minnesota Lynx and took the court with the women’s professional basketball team for the first time in June.

The signees are all Special Olympics athletes with Waconia Schools. Special Olympics Minnesota has a relationship with the Timberwolves and Lynx and is one of their Starting Five grant recipients from the teams’ Fastbreak Foundation charitable outreach arm, according to Mark Anderson, Special Olympics vice president of development.

Special Olympics Minnesota selected Waconia Schools as this season’s Junior Lynx Dream Team because it is a statewide Unified Champion school leader, Anderson said. Unified programming creates inclusive opportunities for special education and general education students to work together and has had a positive impact on students and families not only during the school day but also outside of school, he added.

The Jr. Lynx Dream Team strives to build confidence and instill a passion for the game of basketball, while providing mentorship to its members during 2024 season, according to a Minnesota Lynx press release.

Signing day on Sunday, June 16 tipped-off with an introductory press conference by Lynx General Manager Clare Duwelius before Special Olympics athletes signed their honorary one-day contracts and received a custom jersey. Jr. Lynx Dream Team members then participated in a media day photoshoot and a “Player for a Day” initiative, where each youth was paired with a Lynx player during practice.

The Jr. Lynx Dream Team was honored on-court during a special halftime recognition last Wednesday, June 19 when the Lynx hosted the Atlanta Dream. “The girls were on cloud nine that evening,” Anderson said. The Lynx were on their game too defeating Atlanta 68-55.

“Our organization is honored to host the Jr. Lynx Dream Team in partnership with UnitedHealthcare and Special Olympics Minnesota,” Timberwolves and Lynx Chief Impact Officer Jennifer Ridgeway said in a press release. “Our players, coaches, and staff recognize the positive influence and impact of our platform and appreciate the opportunity to support this inclusive program.”

The Jr. Lynx Dream Team and will be recognized throughout the Lynx season. Here is the team lineup:

• Emelia Lenzen, Southview Elementary

• Victoria Bren, Southview Elementary

• Jacklyn Richards, Bayview Elementary

• Carol Schlauderaff, Bayview Elementary

• Clara Irrgang, Southview Elementary

• Lauren Olson, Waconia Middle School

• June Anderson, Southview Elementary

• Faye Anderson, Southview Elementary

• Ingrid Lueth, Bayview Elementary

• Brynn Vandeputte, Bayview Elementary

• Kendall Maye,r Waconia Middle School

• Lucy Buesgens, Waconia Middle School

• Rylie Sommer ,Waconia High School

• Ella Lilienthal, Waconia High School