Athlete of the Month: Meet Andrew Ackner

What would you like the Special Needs community to know about you? What have been some of the challenges you have experienced and how have you overcome these challenges? Just how much I love the thrill of working on my game in tennis and bowling, and competing at a high level in both of my sports, training to be the best I can be as a representative and role model for the autism community and my children.

Advice you have for others in the Special Needs Community Don’t ever let anybody tell you what you can and can’t do.

Something you would like your parents to know How much she set me up for success in the way she raised me.

What sports or extracurricular activities do you participate in? I compete at a high level in bowling and tennis. I also spend a lot of time training in the gym for the purpose of training my body to be more physically fit specific to my sports.

Tell us more about your experience with those activities (how did you get started? What do you enjoy most? Any highlights of your experience so far?) I got started at both at a very young age, my mom recognized I needed structured physical activity to self regulate and develop and had me in many sports programs. Tennis and bowling were the two that stuck and are my life’s work to be as good of a player and coach as I can be in those two sports.

Some recent bowling highlights include shooting my first 700 series in March of 2023 at The Twin Soo Classic in Sault Ste. Marie, MI and shooting my first 300 game on January 23rd in the Tuesday Night Invitational League at Country Lanes.

Some recent tennis highlights include having a highly competitive match and near upset against the 2nd seed in a singles tournament in Monroe, MI. The 2nd seed went on to win the tournament. I and a doubles partner also won an open tournament together in doubles.

Name someone you admire. What makes them special and how have they motivated you? Retired UFC fighter Chael P. Sonnen. If you know, you know.

Favorite Food Tie between beef tacos and eel sushi. Favorite Color Black and Blue Favorite Music The Ramones

Favorite Movie or TV Show The Big Lebowski

Favorite Sports Teams Michigan Wolverines Football Favorite Vacation Arizona

Follow me @ autastic_athletics