A local cross-country skier has some new hardware in his trophy case. It’s from the Special Olympics in Korea. Joe Gigliotti has the story.

Hayward native Jason Suino was one of three Wisconsin competitors at the recent Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea. He won gold in the 10K cross country race and bronze in the 7.5K. The 24-year old is still on cloud 9. “I don’t know how I did it, but I won. Everyone else is really proud of me - my family and friends and the town of Hayward.”

Suino took first place at the State Winter Games in Wausau last year, qualifying for the World Games in South Korea. He enjoyed the experience overseas. “Really had a good time with the team, the coaches; seeing the sights over there – different culture.”

And he’s taking good care of the medals he earned. “Right now, I’m keeping them safe in my room. I actually have a glass door/gun cabinet I put them in there for now until I get a picture frame for them; hang on the wall.”

Ethel Morse has been Sunio’s coach for more than a decade. Her protégé was assigned an international coach for the games, however. So, Morse worked to get Suino’s dad to the Games. “I decided, well, his dad needs to go and see this ‘cause this is a once in a lifetime thing, and so I kind of started the ball rolling to get some fundraising for his dad to go.”

But she knew she couldn’t miss seeing Suino in action on the international stage either. “We did get some fundraising going, and then people started saying, “You need to go too because you’re his local coach.” So I decided, well, yeah, right, I do need to go, I need to watch and see the results of the training.”

Morse says Suino, who has an intellectual developmental disability, has transformed into an outstanding athlete over the years. “We worked from him starting off as a classic skier, and then I saw the potential for him to do be able to do the skate skiing, and as he got older, he just got stronger.”

Suino has evolved not only as an athlete, but as a person, too. “Oh my, there’s been a big difference. In fact, people who have known Jason in the community have made comments to me about how much more outgoing he is, how much more confident he is in himself, and how he presents himself in just a real positive way now. I was very proud to be able to be a part of Jason’s success.”

And she hopes to be even prouder in another four years. Suino hopes to compete again.

"The next World Games are going to be in Austria in four years, and I'm hoping to sign up and join the World Games over there."

• Memorial weekend fishing limits increased after tough spearfishing season - 5/23/2013
• Forest Service torching 2500 acres in Bayfield County, on purpose. - 5/23/2013
• Duffy grills Treasury Secretary over IRS scandal - 5/22/2013
• Flood of emails protest GTac application for a license to explore - 5/22/2013
• Mixed reactions from businesses, customers in early Tower Avenue construction stages - 5/22/2013