Polar Plunge rosters line up for Special Olympics

PLATTSBURGH | The official kick-off for the 2026 Special Olympics northernmost Polar Plunge brought a group of local Special Olympic athletes together with law enforcement coordinators at City Hall. Students from school clubs, including the Key Club and Unified Team at Saranac Central and Plattsburgh City school, arrived with rosters, building for a chilly dip in Lake Champlain. City of Plattsburgh Police Chief Jarrod Trombley rallied the plunge contingent, which included New York State Police Troop B Major Peter Arcadi; North Country Special Olympics coordinator Scott Ewing; Clinton County Sheriff Dave Favro; Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes; NYSP Polar Plunge Team Captain Wendy House, along with members of the SUNY Plattsburgh University Police and Chris Hughes, development director for Special Olympics NY. Plattsburgh City School Superintendent Jay Lebrun lent support alongside Tracy Manor, principal at Saranac High School. They were met by an entire entourage of Special Olympic local athletes whose programs are funded with proceeds from Plattsburgh's Polar Plunge. "This year is exciting," Chief Trombley said of the city's leadership role in hosting the event this year. "We're doing this for athletes like Stu. Stu and I bowled last Sunday together. He's a phenomenal athlete and the better bowler." Trombley said the way Special Olympics embraces and builds community is tremendous. "Some of us have diversities we are trying to overcome. The more we embrace each other and help each other, the stronger we all are." March 28, Trombley set the date for Plattsburgh's Polar Plunge. "See you there at City Beach. Plunge at noon, so get there." Many law enforcement, school and community groups are working behind the scenes to field their polar plunge teams. "We have hundreds of people coming to Lake Champlain to jump in the lake," Chris Hughes said. "Special Olympics provides year-round support for 22 different sports, giving athletes the opportunity to compete, build confidence and be part of something bigger than themselves," he said. "Events like Polar Plunge make that possible." Last year, which marked the return of polar plunging after a five-year Covid pause, teams raised $18,000, Chris Hughes said, "and all that money stays right here for athletes in the North Country. This year we're going even bigger. "We want everybody to get involved, start a team and come out two weeks from now if the ice is gone," he said. "We can't wait to see you guys at the plunge." Major Arcadi, the new NYSP Troop B commander, was glad to be part of the North Country's plunge this year. "I'm happy to be here and hopefully I'll be able to compete with you guys," he said. "I'm ready to get in the water." Favro said one thing new is the amount of ice on the lake this year. "One thing that is not new is the excitement, the energy, the enthusiasm and the support that we get from all of the law enforcement that's around here. We are behind you," he told the athletes. "I personally applaud you, I'm proud of the efforts that you put forth, the hard work and the courage that you give every single day to beat adversity with a winning attitude." "You guys are great," Ewing told the Special Olympic athletes. "We just did a bowling event and we had a great time, didn't we?" They cheered in agreement. North Country special athletic teams also just attended the region's Winter Special Olympics. They wore all their winning medals to the Polar Plunge launch. "We had fun," Ewing said. "And competition among each other. What did we come home with?" "Medals!" the group responded. "It's all about teamwork, and it's all about you guys," Ewing said, thanking the schools from the City of Plattsburgh and Saranac who brought plunge team members and their Hornet and Spartan mascots to rally the crowd. The Polar Plunge bear joined the field of costumed characters. Plattsburgh School Superintendent Jay Lebrun said school teachers and staff are taking the plunge led by captain of the district's team, Shasta Whitford, the school's Special Education director. "We're optimistic for better weather," Whitford said, recalling the unusually high wind and waves at City Beach last year. Asked if he's going to join in, Lebrun said that is yet to be determined. At Saranac Central, senior Kellen plays on the Unified Team. "We've got most of the team signed up to participate," he said of a group of about 18 students. "I'm excited to do this." Saranac High School Key Club President Noah Terry said they're coming back to try and beat the third place finish they hit last year. "We're trying to get most of the club to participate." Saranac High School Principal Tracy Manor said the group raised $1,355 for Special Olympics last year. Terry remembered the strong onshore wind made for a cold day the beach. "I feel like the water was warmer than the wind," he laughed. "I fell forward and I remember it woke me up." The teens have no plans for special cold water swim gear or wetsuits. "No, it's just -- go on in," Terry said. Standing with Chief Trombley, Special Olympics team member Stu said he was going to take the plunge and has no preparation planned. "It's mind over matter," he said. FIND OUT MORE: The 2026 Plattsburgh Special Olympics Polar Plunge is on Saturday, March 28 at Plattsburgh City Beach. Registration starts at 10 a.m. with the plunge at noon. To sign up individually or build a team, register online: specialolympics-ny.org/ways-to-give/ Donation forms, receipt templates and sponsorship letters are included on the online registration page.

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Polar Plunge rosters line up for Special Olympics

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