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The Centre County Gazette
June 5-11, 2014
Local athletes to compete on national stage By BRITTANY SVOBODA bsvoboda@centrecountygazette.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — Local athletes Trevor Chester, Greg Focht and Carolyn Jean “Cajee” Bechtel will have their dreams realized this month when they represent Centre County during the Special Olympics National Games in New Jersey. The national games will feature more than 300 other athletes and coaches from Pennsylvania and 3,500 athletes from throughout the U.S. In order to be selected to compete for the games, athletes must have medaled in their sport. From there, participants from each state are chosen at random during a ceremony that involves the athletes and their families. Focht, 48, of State College, has been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 40 years. He has competed in bocce, bowling, golf, softball, speed skating, swimming, basketball and tennis. Although Focht recently suffered a rotator cuff injury, he said he’ll be ready to attend nationals to compete in bocce. He said he’s excited for some of the side activities planned for the athletes, including a dinner cruise and a baseball game. Although Focht won’t be competing in this year’s summer games, which are taking place now through Saturday, June 8, at Penn State, he’ll participate in the Law
Enforcement Torch Run at Medlar Field during the opening ceremonies. In 2011, Focht went to the Special Olympics World Games in Athens, Greece. He was also inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame last year. While he has participated in a variety of sports, he hopes to add one more to his repertoire: curling. Focht said he watches the sport during the Winter Olympics and hopes that Special Olympics will add it some day. Bechtel, 54, of Boalsburg, participated with Special Olympics when she lived in Rhode Island. She moved to Centre County in 1994 and has been an athlete with Special Olympics of Pennsylvania ever since. Bechtel has competed in softball, tennis, bowling, bocce, volleyball and bowling. A knee injury has somewhat limited her ability to participate in certain sports, but that hasn’t slowed her down and she’ll compete in bocce at nationals. Bechtel will also be competing in bowling during the current games at Penn State. “It’ll be exciting to meet new people,” Bechtel said. In regards to competing, she said she’ll give it her all when the time comes, while remembering the Special Olympics oath — “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Chester, 39, of State College, has been a Special Olympics athlete for about 30
Submitted photo
CAROLYN JEAN “CAJEE” BECHTEL, of Boalsburg, will compete in her first Special Olympics National Games in New Jersey later this month. She will compete in bocce.
Submitted photo
TREVOR CHESTER, left, and Greg Focht have been Special Olympics athletes for decades. Here they are pictured in Olympic Village during Fall Fest at Villanova University. Chester and Focht will compete in the Special Olympics National Games for the first time later this month.
years. He has competed in golf, bowling, swimming and bocce. For the national games, Chester will bowl unified with his niece, Emily Mowery, who helped him qualify for the games last year. “It’s been a great experience working with the athletes,” Mowery said. “They’re so positive and happy even when they might not be doing so well. They give you a good outlook on life.” Mowery and Chester have been bowling together for five years. Along with nationals, Chester will also be competing at Penn State in unified bowling with his mom, Diane. Chester is also a global messenger for Special Olympics, something Bechtel hopes to do in the future. “I go out and give speeches,” Chester said. The topics range from the importance of family to specific things about Special Olympics. While at the national games, Chester said he’s hoping to meet athletes and coaches from throughout the country. He’s also looking forward to the march in with other athletes and trading pins. Chester hopes to qualify for the Special Olympics World Games in bowling during this weekend’s event at Penn State. The world games will take place in Los Angeles in 2015. To compete at this level, athletes need to practice regularly. All athletes from Pennsylvania destined for the national games also attended a camp in Williamsport in March. This gave them a chance to meet their coaches and teammates throughout the state while focusing on fitness and healthy eating. “They gave them a sheet and talked to
them about exercising,” said Diane, Chester’s mom. “They also talked to them about making healthy food choices.” While Special Olympics has impacted the athletes, it’s also has an impact on their families and friends. “Special Olympics is such a benefit and a blessing to families because (the athletes) develop friendships and then we go and meet other parents and develop friendships,” Diane said. “We compare notes about something that maybe helped your athlete or son or daughter, or other programs that are out there. It’s kind of addictive. Once you start, it’s just a joy being around the athletes.” “It’s been fun watching him,” said Don, Chester’s dad. Don Chester is also one of Focht’s golf coaches and has played unified with him. “Greg is a really good all-around athlete. Watching him bowl is unbelievable,” Diane said. “This is a good opportunity,” said Betty Bechtel, of her sister’s accomplishment. While Special Olympics provides the opportunity for the athletes to meet and form friendships, Betty said it also gives them confidence for other activities. Bechtel, Betty explained, has taken a part-time job at The Nittany Lion Inn, which she’s had for 11 years, since becoming a Special Olympics athlete. Focht works at the North Atherton Walmart, and Chester at Olive Garden. “It builds teamwork and self confidence,” she said. The Special Olympics National Games will take place Saturday, June 14, through Saturday, June 21 in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.2014specialolympics.org.