ZED Zorros excels during first year

As the Hayfield Activities Director, Chris Pack is tasked with finding and maintaining different sports and activities for students of all skill levels.
That’s why he knew it was so important to create an opportunity for students with disabilities like his son Seth, a fifth grader at Hayfield, who has Down Syndrome.
That opportunity came about this year after money was raised through the Seth Pack Golf Fundraiser and all the pieces fell into place. This year students with disabilities from Hayfield, Blooming Prairie and Kasson-Mantorville were able to participate in adaptive bowling, becoming known as the ZED Zorros.
“Our son Seth has Down Syndrome and is in fifth grade this year. We wanted something in place for when he was old enough to compete in seventh grade. Plus, as an AD, I had heard how rewarding this program was and thought it would be great for our kids that qualify for it,” Pack said. Over the course of the last few months, Pack saw how much joy it brought to the team and realized it was everything he was hoping it would be.
“It turned out to be everything I was hoping for and more! Our coaches and paras were fantastic with the kids and the kids did great,” Pack added. This past weekend 12 of the 13 members of the team were able to compete in the State Championship, including their ASD coming in first, after qualifying for the tournament during a state qualifier.Pack explained that seeing the team accomplishment is something that means a lot to his family and him.
“It means a lot. I was able to attend both the qualifier in Lake City and the state tournament in Brooklyn Park, and it is an unbelievable experience for our kids,” said Pack. “There is so much joy and cheering for each other, it is refreshing to see,” he added.
Anna Passe, one of the coaches of the greatest parts of the team, is seeing them gain self confidence throughout the season.
“I think the greatest part is seeing the bowlers self confidence, self esteem, and pride enhance through this process. The bowlers not only bowled but made friends and practiced a variety of other skills like teamwork,” Passe said.
Like Pack, Passe also agrees that having an opportunity for students with different disabilities is something that is extremely important, and she is glad that they were able to offer the opportunity to students this year and going forward.
“I think it is important for kids to have teams and opportunities like this because they learn so many skills from being part of a team besides just the sport. The kids were able to develop relationships, and enhance their social communication skills,” Passe said. “They learned how to work as a team, they learned how to support others and many other skills. Many of the bowlers have never been part of a team before so this opportunity is so important as they learn those important team skills and helps build themselves up in many ways. This is such a great opportunity for the students,” she added. “The bowlers excitement and positivity through the whole season is inspiring,” Passe said. “They all did such an amazing job this season. We are all so proud of them, and I cannot wait for next season!”