The Augusta Stars culminated their 30th anniversary year with a slew of medals at the Special Olympics Georgia Winter Games 2026 Jan. 30-31 in Cobb County.
Ninety-nine athletes, unified partners, coaches and family members braved the Winter weather to compete in bowling and basketball.
After close to three months of practice, the Augusta Stars brought home a total of 28 gold, 16 silver, four bronze, and one fourth place ribbon.
Several teams from other agencies and some athletes from the Augusta Stars chose not to attend the games out of concern for the weather, according to a news release from the Augusta Stars.
“Most of the 51 Augusta Stars athletes who traveled to the games were able to compete, but unfortunately, four athletes were unable to compete as the afternoon events were cancelled due to the weather.,” the release said.
In bowling, winners include:
Youth division (age 8 – 21):
Gold: Marissa Heath, Victoria Vallotton, Jacob Enger, Derek Kong, Justin Lawton and Noah Williams
Silver: Grace Kong and Christian Worley.
Masters division (age 22 and up) Traditional:
Gold: Shala Williamson, Ashlyn Price, Joseph Cruz, Tayqwon Grant, Braxton James, Jacob Herndon, Jon Lambert, Darryl Lucas, Jayce Stefani, Antonio Watkins, Doyle Campbell, Danny Streetman, Chris Powell and Antonio Rodriguez
Silver: Stacey Yarbrough, Natoya Hill, Angela Simmons, Wendy Barker, Michael Bonnet, Samual McAllister, Gary Smith, Jeffrey Keating, Robert White and Eric Barclay.
Bronze: Cindy Isbell, Matthew Scholten, Nathan Lechner and Michael Brophey
Fourth: Izza Giboney
Unified Masters (each team must have two non-athlete Unified Partners – A Unified Partner is an athlete without an intellectual disability that is paired with a Special Olympian of similar age and level of skill.):
Unified teams and results (athletes listed first followed by Unified Partners):
Team Wayback: Kim Way, Raven Allen, Donny Way and Amanda Soares – Silver
Two teams were unable to compete due to a weather. Team Popularity: Chris Supilski, Erica Rothwell, Michael Amrhein, and Jennifer Amrheim Team Starbright: Corey Hudson, Brandy Storey, Bilie Jean Pitts-Winnfield, and Tina Powell.
For the first time since before COVID, The Augusta Stars fielded two basketball teams.
The 3-on-3 team of Logan Brown, Jevon Dunn and Cooper Claus dominated their two games and brought home the gold.
The team of Theresa Nixon, Chaffin Pittman, Naomi Hicks, Matthew Henning and Cameron Jones brought home the Gold in the Team Skills event. Team skills is a team of five athletes lined up around the free throw lane and free throw line.
Each player passes the ball along until it makes it to the player at the free throw line who then shoots for a basket. Points are awarded for each successful pass and catch as well as basket made, rim and or back board hit. Players rotate positions after each free throw.
Next up will be the Summer Games in the sports of swimming, track & field and volleyball.
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