'Anyone can do anything': ABLE Games showcase athletes of all abilities

Abby Makay / WDAY By Kevin Wallevand Today at 6:30 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — There are state high school football championship games, local college football games and swimming and diving championships this weekend in the region. But on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, other champions are being crowned at the ABLE Games. ADVERTISEMENT A chance for athletes of all abilities to work together in a Cross-Fit type setting. The middle school athletes have been training for weeks. They came ready: proudly walking out in a parade of champions to start the ABLE Games. A total of 150 athletes from 14 schools, sending athletes and their peers to a day of competition and change. "Who you really are and where you can grow, you can push past that little bit of hurt and little bit of pain, it will be worth it, I promise you that," Connor McGovern, ABLE Games founder, told the athletes before the competition. And there were proud and loud parents in the stands cheering on their athletes. Athletes like Ty Currier of Moorhead, part of the Limitless Duo, who along with his partner, Hendricks, rowed until he spent every ounce of energy. "It was really cool to have everyone here to support me and my partner," Ty said. Now in its sixth year, ABLE Games has grown dramatically. And not just at this event — ABLE Games has programming in schools all across the region. ADVERTISEMENT "A lot of these schools have classes that have inclusion in the classroom and PE (physical education) and then it builds into these events," McGovern said. Cheering on the athletes was Fargo native, former NFL player and ABLE Games founder McGovern. "These events are the most special and the ones I look forward to the most. You see how it impacts the students and the athletes and families," McGovern said. READ MORE FROM KEVIN WALLEVAND 'Like a Hallmark movie': Peteyville in Pelican Rapids set to wow holiday crowds 1d ago He missed graduation because he was fighting in Vietnam. Now, a diploma for Rick 1d ago Pucker Power: Ben Franklin trumpet students compete for best 'siren' sound 3d ago Wyatt Burggraff, a Horizon Middle Schooler, has been training for weeks, and it showed. He knocked it out of the park, along with his peer, Corban. And after his performance, Wyatt had this incredible perspective: "Anyone can do anything. They can be anything they want and do anything they want," Wyatt said. For the parents cheering on their athletes, the ABLE Games are a reminder what's possible when everyone is included. "It is a lot of fun to see all these athletes of all abilities competing and cheering everybody on, it is amazing," said Chelsea Currier. ADVERTISEMENT "I think they learn all kids can do all things as long as they put their hearts into it and they have fun," Lauren Swenson said. The adult athletes compete Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. at West Fargo's Butler Arena at the Fairgrounds. Find out more details at https://www.ablegames.org , and at https://www.tntkidsfitness.org/ . Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags KEVIN WALLEVAND LOCAL SPORTS FARGO WEST FARGO By Kevin Wallevand Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient. Reach Kevin at [email protected] or 701-241-5317 Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Fargo Fargo man arrested for DUI after car crashes onto gas pump 2h ago · By Hunter Schwartz Fargo Embattled recovery and reentry nonprofit F5 Project looks ahead after turbulent year 5h ago · By Tasha Carvell Fargo Proposed SNAP changes could increase demand at Great Plains Food Bank 20h ago · By Matthew Freeman ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Prep Day 1: 2026 NDHSAA State Girls Swimming and Diving Championships on WDAY+ 8h ago · By WDAY News Fargo Embattled recovery and reentry nonprofit F5 Project looks ahead after turbulent year 5h ago · By Tasha Carvell Local Teen bicyclist airlifted after being struck by pickup in Osage Township 8h ago · By Staff reports Fargo Fargo man arrested for DUI after car crashes onto gas pump 2h ago · By Hunter Schwartz