Nicholas Cross from Wayne, Michigan was named the "2011 Spartan Stores Healthy Athlete of the Year" on Thursday, June 2 to a crowd of more than 5,500 people at Kelly/Shorts Stadium at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. The announcement was made during Opening Ceremonies for the 2011 Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games presented by Spartan Stores.

With a big smile, Nicholas said, "I love competing in Special Olympics and I'm very excited to be this year's Spartan Stores Healthy Athlete of the Year."

Nicholas was chosen by Spartan Stores from seven Special Olympics Michigan athletes nominated.

Nicholas comes from a long line of diabetic men in his family. He was determined not to be one of them. Nicholas began taking control of his eating habits by reducing his portion sizes, not snacking at night, and exercising regularly. Nicholas walks at least 1.5 miles a day and does sit-ups and push-ups three times a week. One of his favorite walking partners is his grandmother!

"I love walking because it makes me feel healthy and I Iove feeling healthy," Nicholas said.

Nicholas's mom Debbie Cross said, "I'm very excited, I'm so happy. I am so proud of Nick. He works so hard, he lost all that weight on his own. He just decided one day he was not going to be diabetic. He lost 50 pounds by portion control and exercising. He walks 1-2 miles every day. He went from a size 40 pants to size 32 in 18 months and he looks amazing. He has a lot more energy and is very healthy. He is excited to compete in swimming at the Summer Games because he may reach his personal best due to the weight loss."

Nicholas has been involved with Special Olympics Michigan for eight years. At first he was quite shy and was reluctant to join. After joining Special Olympics Michigan and meeting other athletes he began to enjoy himself and made a lot of friends.

Nick's Area Director Jackie Foust said, "He was very excited, he had a huge smile on his face when they announced his name. He made his way up to the stage and was congratulated by all of his friends and family members. No one knew so it was a very big surprise. Everyone was very happy for Nick. He has worked very hard and deserves it. He has made a big change in his life and eating habits on his own."

Nick competes in aquatics, basketball, softball, bowling, and poly hockey.

Nicholas attends Schoolcraft College and is majoring in electronics technology. He also works part time at Little Caesars.

Spartan Stores is very interested in helping communities improve their health and wellness. Together with Special Olympics Michigan, Spartan Stores honors an athlete each year at State Summer Games, who is a leader among other athletes, and strives for wellness as well as a balance of the mind, body and spirit.

Each athlete selected as the Spartan Stores Healthy Athlete of the Year is trained to become a Global Messenger to share the mission of Special Olympics Michigan and the positive impact on athletes. The award winner will also participate in numerous speaking engagements and store appearances throughout the year, arranged by both Special Olympics Michigan and Spartan Stores, Inc.

Spartan began recognizing Special Olympics Michigan athletes in 2008 for their healthy lifestyle and dedication to the Special Olympics Oath: Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. They have been supporting Special Olympics Michigan through monetary contributions since 1985. They also provide volunteers for the State Summer Games and provide all the food to feed the hundreds of volunteers during the two days of competition. In the last 27 years Spartan has raised $7 million for year-round athletic training and State Summer Games, and is a statewide Gold Medal Sponsor and Presenting Sponsor of the State Summer Games.

About Spartan Stores
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Spartan Stores, Inc., (Nasdaq:SPTN) is the nation's eleventh largest grocery distributor with 1.4 million square feet of warehouse, distribution, and office space located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Company distributes more than 40,000 corporate and national brand products to approximately 370 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and to our 97 corporate owned stores located in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets and VG's Food and Pharmacy. Learn more about Spartan Stores by visiting www.spartanstores.com.

About Special Olympics Michigan
Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for 20,679 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes build physical fitness, develop self-confidence and prepare for participation in society.

SOMI is a non-profit organization supported almost entirely by corporate and individual gifts, and events, without support of state funds. The generosity of Michigan organizations, individuals and statewide businesses enable the program to continue.