Article by Danielle Fitzpatrick Clark, published on Glancer Mag.
You won’t find a 28-year-old who’s more fun to hang out with than Christina Schutz! Not only does she love to shop and go bowling, but Schutz is a standout athlete, playing volleyball for the Illinois team in the Special Olympics this year.
Schutz has lived in Darien for the past 23 years and is a 2007 graduate of Downers Grove South High School. Her parents, Carol and Mike, and brother, Brian, have been cheering her on for years as she’s participated in volleyball. Christina has been playing volleyball with Seaspar, a special recreation association by the Illinois Association of Park Districts, in Downers Grove for the past 11 years.
She was beyond surprised and excited to be chosen to participate in this year’s Olympics. The training was tough, but she would give anything to go back and compete again. “Training can be very tiring,” Christina explains. “We get to do a lot of different drills with the trainer in order to be ready for competition.”
The training and long hours absolutely paid off. Illinois’ volleyball team took first place this year in the competition! “It felt great to take home the gold,” Christina enthuses. “When I arrived home and got off the plane there were so many people waiting and cheering and congratulating us!”
For inspiration, Schutz definitely gives credit to her number-one fan: “The person who inspires me most is my mom. She’s very helpful when I need her and always has great advice to share.”