BOONE—It was a true Polar Plunge Thursday with 162 plungers braving snow and a 34-degree water temperature to raise more than $7,300 for Special Olympics athletes in Watauga County during the 17th annual Polar Plunge at Appalachian State University’s duck pond.

University Police as well as other Watauga County law enforcement agencies and Watauga County Parks and Recreation sponsored the event.

The jumpers raised $1,734 with Toby Ragan raising $350 as the top individual fundraiser. Jumpers paid $25 per person or $20 per person for groups of five or more to participate in the event. Appalachian’s ROTC program was the top fundraising group bringing in $1,726 for the event. Corporate sponsors added another $3,850. The final total is expected to rise as contributions from a class BBQ fundraiser are turned in next week.

The winners of the most extreme costume contest were Lawson Huggins, penguin, and Gabby Khoury, angel.

Corporate sponsors were Smart Products, Boone Optimist Club, Enterline & Russell, Tweetsie Railroad and Hampton’s Body Shop. Gift certificates were provided by Outback Steakhouse.

Participants received a Polar Plunge beach towel.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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