Athlete Honored by the Big 12 Conference

Delanie Ross / Special Olympics Florida

Special Olympics Florida athlete Adrienne Bunn has been named the Special Olympics Female Athlete of the Year by the Big 12 Conference! 

Adrienne was honored for a series of remarkable achievements over the past 18 months. During that time, the 18-year-old from Marion County captured gold and bronze medals at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, ran in the New York City Marathon, and, in October, finished first in her division at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. At Kona, Adrienne set a world record, becoming the youngest person with autism to complete the race.

Adrienne has been training and competing since the age of 9. When she was 4, she was diagnosed with autism and began therapeutic horseback riding. After riding for several years, she joined the Marion County Equestrian Team and fell in love with the sport. Since then, she’s competed in swimming, track and field, cycling, volleyball, basketball, and golf.  When Special Olympics Florida began offering triathlon several years ago, Adrienne was one of the first athletes to sign up.

Adrienne, a high-school senior, was recognized for her latest award in front of almost 85,000 people at the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. She also attended the Big 12 Commissioner’s Reception, along with Special Olympics Florida Chief Operating Officer Meghan McLean. 

Adrienne is paving the way for other Special Olympics Florida athletes and proving that people with different abilities will do remarkable things, if they are just given a chance. To learn more about this inspiring athlete, check out the profile produced recently by Spectrum News 13.