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Thursday, August 12, 2010
The County Times
Sp rts
St. Mary’s Athletes Compete at State Level, Achieve Success
The culmination of a Special Olympics sports season is the state competition. After months of training, 58 track and field athletes, 15 softball players, 12 swimmers, and 27 bocce players spent three June days participating in the Maryland Summer Games competition at Towson University. They were joined by over 1,700 athletes from around the state to compete in their chosen sport. The unified softball team, led by coach Jim Hawkins, competed against teams from Frederick, Prince George’s, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County. The team played 5 games over the weekend to capture the gold, but it did not come easy. The team relied on their strong defense, pitch- Shaun Ridley takes a pitch during a Special Olympics softball ing, good bats, and excellent game. teamwork to be victorious. Congratulations team on a job We couldn’t have asked for a better team.” This well done. The bocce athletes played singles, 2-per- year’s aquatics program attracted more athletes son teams, and 2-person unified teams. The than ever before, with a couple of our athletes players demonstrated patience and strategy, participating on their high school teams. In track and field, athletes competed in resulting in several gold medals. Head Coach three events and a relay from the field of 50, Serge Lefebvre supported the state competition by being an official and providing training. 100, 200, 400, and 800 meter runs, the throwHe commented, “Each player competed in two ing events of shotput, mini javelin, and softgames each day. In spite of the heat, our athletes ball, running, standing, and high jumps. Head bought home some bling.” Coach Gene Thomp- Coach Joe Owens supported the efforts of son added, “whether the athlete was seasoned three athletes who entered the 800 meter race or new this year, they all played well under the this year: Moses Weaver, Emoni Butler, and stress of competition. The artificial surface Brandon Chan. All three made a great showstayed very consistent and our athletes accept- ing in their individual divisions: Emoni won ed the challenge with great games.” Bocce is first, Moses won second, and Brandon won similar to lawn bowling and requires accuracy third. Athletes Larry Mills Thomas Smith, Terrel Nowlin, Avery Long, and Wayne Carter and strategy to win. The St. Mary’s aquatics teams swam in a competed as pentathlon athletes. Coach Lloyd variety of events this year including free style, Grayson commented on these athletes’ perforback-stroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and relays. mances, “Each athlete scored their personal They definitely made their coaches proud by best in at least one of their events. We are very bringing home gold, silver, and bronze awards. proud of them.” A remarkable happening of Aquatics Head Coach Lynne Baker comment- the games was the opportunity for Jerry Gated, “Our swimmers did very well this weekend. ton, a blink individual, to run the 50 meter race without holding on to a rope, rather he listened to the voice of Coach Owens in front of him to guide him in his lane. After the race, Jerry was overcome with joy and said, “I felt free for the first time.” Concurrent with the Athletics, Aquatics, Softball, and Bocce competitions at Towson University, the Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro was the site for the State Special Olympics Equestrian Competition. Three athletes from St. Mary’s – Shelby Beall, Austin Kraese and Amanda Lowe competed on horses from Greenwell and Serenity Farms. Each Parish Butler passes the baton to Justin Thompson in the 4 x 100 relay athlete showed their ability to control the horse to during the Special Olympics Summer Games. lead them to victory.