Close Menu

    Closings

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Personalities/Staff
    • Jobs
    • Calendar
    • Contest Rules
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Login
    RSS Facebook X (Twitter)
    News Radio KMAN
    • Local/State News
      • Manhattan
      • Wamego
      • Riley County
      • Pottawatomie County
      • Fort Riley
      • Geary County
      • State News
      • RCPD Reports
    • Weather
    • Sports
      • K-State Sports
      • High School Sports
        • HS Basketball Schedule & Scores
          • Manhattan High
          • Wamego
          • Rock Creek
          • Riley County
          • Frankfort
          • Blue Valley High
      • Scoreboard Saturday
      • Student-Athlete of the Week
    • Podcasts
      • Within Reason with Mike Matson
      • The Game
      • Wildcat Insider
      • Scoreboard Saturday
    • Obituaries
    • Message Us
      • Birthday/Anniversary
    • Keep It Local
    Listen
    Closings And Delaystyle=
    News Radio KMAN
    You are at:Home»Local News»Polar Plunge returns to Tuttle Creek, raises $16K for Special Olympics Kansas

    Polar Plunge returns to Tuttle Creek, raises $16K for Special Olympics Kansas

    0
    By KMAN Staff on March 27, 2022 Local News, Manhattan
    polar plunge
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN

    Eighty-five people participated in Manhattan’s Polar Plunge Saturday, raising about $16,000 for Special Olympics Kansas.

    The fundraiser returned to Tuttle Creek State Park for the 2022 observance, having previously shifted to Bill Snyder Family Stadium in 2021. Manhattan is one of 11 Kansas cities participating in the event, a key fundraiser to support the local Manhattan Sports Club team.

    Special Olympics Sports and Program Manager Krystin Guggisberg was ‘thrilled’ with how the event played out.

    “My concern being out here was maybe people would have a hard time finding us, but we had a huge crowd of plungers and people here just to support Manhattan Special Olympics and Special Olympics Kansas,” says Guggisberg. “A lot of enthusiasm down on the beach. It was an awesome group of plungers this year.”

    polar plunge
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN

    Guggisberg was also impressed with the variety of costumes participants were sporting. This year’s theme for the costume contest was #PolarOpposites, though costumes of all sorts were on the scene.

    Awards were presented in various categories prior to the Plunge proper. Highest fundraising team went to Team “Slippery When Wet” (Manhattan Special Olympics). The highest fundraising individual was also a member of the team, Grayson Zeka, present in the form of a cut-out. “Slippery When Wet” was also the winner of the team with most participants award.

    Polar Plunge saw support from numerous emergency responder agencies from around the region including Riley and Pottawatomie Counties as well as Junction City. Riley County EMS won best team costume, while RCPD’s Gage Whitmore took the best individual costume award. The highest fundraising division at RCPD was Corrections.

    Following the awards, it was time to get cold. Plungers ran, dunked and dived their way into Tuttle, while buckets were drawn for a land dunk as well. Heated tents were nearby for participants to warm up, and RCPD’s food truck was on site to serve up hot dogs for folks on their way out.

    RCPD Officer Rachel Pate says the day went great, calling it ‘one of the best plunges we’ve had so far.’ She says her favorite costume of the day was the KISS costumes sported by Riley County dispatchers.

    “I think KISS was a little sad they didn’t get it,” says Pate. “But they’ll be back next year. They won it two years ago as Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy and they’ve been trying to defend their title so we’ll see what 2023 brings.”

    Nick McNamara/ KMAN

    KMAN caught up with the dispatchers team following the plunge, listen to their remarks below:

    https://1350kman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/0327-PP_KISS.mp3
    Nick McNamara/ KMAN

    KMAN also spoke with Team Average Joes, an homage to the film Dodgeball. You can hear their thoughts here:

    https://1350kman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/0327-PP_AJ.mp3
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    KMAN Staff
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)

    Related Posts

    Manhattan man assigned $500k bond for sex crimes arrest

    Sunset Zoo planning 71st birthday celebration for beloved chimpanzee

    Caterpillar workers to remain in Wamego

    Listen Live Here
    Listen Live - Mobile

    Categories

    EEO Report

    FCC Public File

    FCC Applications


    Follow @1350kman on Twitter · Manhattan Broadcasting Company is an equal opportunity employer.
    Manhattan Broadcasting does not discriminate in sale of advertising on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity, and will not accept advertising which does so discriminate. © 2024 Manhattan Broadcasting Company.

    Follow @1350kman on Twitter · Manhattan Broadcasting Company is an equal opportunity employer.
    Manhattan Broadcasting does not discriminate in sale of advertising on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity, and will not accept advertising which does so discriminate. © 2024 Manhattan Broadcasting Company.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    x