Local athlete named Special Olympics Texas' Male Athlete of the Year

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) officially announced the winners of its statewide Athletes, Unified Partner and Coach of the Year awards on Monday. Among the six honorees selected, Jarred Duran of Celina, has been named the Male Athlete of the Year for the 15-21 age range.

Duran, 19, has been involved with SOTX's Greater Dallas Area program since 2008. Over the years, he has participated in several sports, such as aquatics with the Frisco Flyers and athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling and softball with the McKinney Mavericks. Outside of Special Olympics, he holds a part-time job at Kroger as a customer service clerk. In his spare time, Duran gives back to his community by volunteering at Hugs Cafe in McKinney, a restaurant that employs adults with special needs.

"He exuberates pride, dedication, sportsmanship and compassion in competition and in everyday life," said Lisa Sadosky, a SOTX volunteer and special education teacher McKinney North High School. "Jarred always strives to do his best and works through his disabilities of autism, visual impairment and other health impairments like a champion. He encourages others when he is practicing, on the sidelines or even in the classroom. Jarred is a true inspiration, leader and exactly what Special Olympics is all about."

Duran will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 13 in College Station during Fall Classic. He will be participating in aquatics with the Frisco Flyers at the 17th annual statewide event.

2017 Special Olympics Texas Awards

Name Category City

Jarred Duran Male Athlete of the Year: 15-21 Celina

Caitlin Ripley Female Athlete of the Year: 15-21 Houston

Tino Serna Male Athlete of the Year: 22+ Laredo

Laura Mashuca Female Athlete of the Year: 22+ Laredo

Olga Gutierrez Coach of the Year Laredo

Tim Brown Unified Sports Partner of the Year Abilene