Plover resident Tyler Portzen said he's excited for his first Polar Plunge on Feb. 1. (Metro Wire photo)

Special Olympics athlete joins Stevens Point police for Polar Plunge

By Brandi Makuski

STEVENS POINT — Tyler Portzen is gearing up for his first Polar Plunge on Feb. 1.

Portzen, a 20-year-old Special Olympics athlete from Plover, will take the plunge with the Stevens Point Police Department during the annual Polar Plunge at Anchor Bay in Wisconsin Rapids.

The event raises funds for Special Olympics Wisconsin and draws participants willing to brave icy waters for a good cause.

The plunge begins at noon at Anchor Bay, 1259 Anchor Landing Dr., but spectators are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the festivities.

Portzen, who has participated in Special Olympics for three years, decided to join the SPPD’s team after a friend encouraged him to participate. He is currently one of the top fundraisers for this year’s event, having already raised nearly $1,600.

The SPPD team includes Portzen, Officer Jadon Solis, Lt. Robert Roser, Ben Burow, and Sgt. Alex Beach.

Local law enforcement has participated in the Polar Plunge for more than 20 years, dating back to the late 1990s. The tradition was initiated by Stevens Point Police Sgt. Tony Zblewski, who has since retired. Over the years, officers, deputies, corrections officers, state troopers, and FBI agents have joined in various group iterations, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Despite being nervous about his first plunge, Portzen remains optimistic.

“I think I just have to do it,” he said with a laugh.

Portzen first connected with the police department through a Special Olympics fundraiser, “Bowl with the Cops,” in October 2024. “They invited me to join their team, and I thought, why not?” he said.

He added that he is friends with Sgt. Beach. “He’s a great guy, and it’s nice to know someone I trust will be jumping alongside me.”

A seasoned bowler with a 185 average, Portzen recently competed in the Special Olympics state bowling tournament, where he dominated his division with a three-game score of 627. “It didn’t feel like the right division for me,” he joked, noting he outscored second place by more than 200 pins.

Portzen said he’s preparing for the icy waters by keeping things simple. “I won’t be wearing jeans or bundling up too much,” he said. “Just a T-shirt—maybe something funny.”

Portzen’s participation is not just about the jump; it’s about supporting a community he values deeply. “I’ve seen how much events like this help Special Olympics,” he said.

To support Portzen’s efforts, donations can be made through the Special Olympics Wisconsin website under the Stevens Point Police Department team.

The Polar Plunge is one of Special Olympics Wisconsin’s largest fundraisers, with proceeds supporting year-round programming for athletes like Portzen.