BATON ROUGE – The LSU gymnastics and sand volleyball teams took part in the annual “Wheels to Succeed” bike race event sponsored by the McMains Children’s Developmental Center on Saturday outside the Carl Maddox Field House and Natatorium on campus.
The bike race is for children with muscular disabilities who have the opportunity to ride adaptive bikes in a fun and encouraging environment.
The gymnastics and sand volleyball student-athletes participated in the event by helping the kids during the race. They also gave out awards, snacks and face tattoos, while interacting with the children and their families.
“This event is always so much fun,” sophomore gymnast Sydney Ewing said. “We love getting to interact with the kids and see them smile and have a great time.”
The mission of Wheels to Succeed is to provide children with physical disabilities their own specially adapted three-wheeled bikes and opportunities to ride these bikes in free organized activities.
The McMains Children’s Developmental Center seeks to identify and treat children with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and learning disabilities to enable them to reach their potential and to function as independently as possible. The center has served the Greater Baton Rouge area since 1954.
Both the LSU gymnastics and sand volleyball squads have begun fall practice as they gear up for their respective 2015 seasons.