06/23/2025
Meet Cole Connelley — our 2025 Casto Muscle Foundation Senior Scholarship Winner! 💥
Cole is a graduating senior from Wayne New Tech High School, in Indiana. Cole is known for his persistence, positivity, and powerful presence on and off the court. Born with Spina Bifida, Cole uses a wheelchair full-time — and he’s never let it slow him down.
From competitive wheelchair basketball through the NWBA 🏀, to academic excellence as a National Honor Society member, to volunteering at the zoo, Turnstone Center, and leading as a summer intern — Cole is the definition of dedication and drive.
His passion? Animals. 🐾 After attending Purdue’s Vet Camp and falling even more in love with science, Cole is headed to the University of Missouri this fall to study Microbiology and compete on the wheelchair basketball team — achieving a lifelong dream.
What stands out most about Cole is his persistence. He’s overcome challenges with strength, learned from every misstep, and built a life rooted in grit, purpose, and growth. We’re beyond proud to support him as he begins this next chapter.
Cole, thank you for showing us what muscle really means. 💙
Stay tuned for more on Cole!
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