Area athletes competed in the Georgia Special Olympics state games over Memorial Day weekend.
Forty-four members of the Augusta Stars competed in events such as tennis, track and field, swimming and volleyball at Emory University in Atlanta.
On Friday, May 22, the Augusta Stars began the Summer Games with the Level A Swimming event. Level A is the designation for those with mobility issues and or need assistance to swim. These events consist of a 15-meter walk, 15-meter and 25-meter flotation, 10-meter assisted and 15-meter unassisted, according to a news release.
Noah Williams brought home gold in the 10-meter assisted. Veteran Christopher Supulski as well as newcomers Michael Bonnett and Jacob Herndon competed in the 15-meter and 25-meter flotation bringing home five gold medals with Bonnett earning a silver medal in the 25-meter.
Newcomer Milla Mooney completed the 15-meter walk for bronze.
Tennis player Doyle Campbell continued his domination of the courts this year. He remained undefeated in four matches of level 5 tennis to bring home gold. Level 5 is the highest level of tennis designation in Special Olympics. He is at the top of his game often rivaling non-Special Olympics tennis players in local play.
Two athletes competed in the 200-meter. Naomi Hicks brought home two silver medals while Justin Lawton earned gold for the 200-meter. Lawton was scheduled to compete in the 100-meter but it was cancelled due to rain.
May 23 was focused on swim events.
The day is broken out into two shifts – the morning is for masters swimming (age 22- and-older) with the afternoon for is senior and junior swimming (ages 8-21). Each athlete can participate in up to two events and one relay race.
This year, the Augusta Stars doubled the number of relay teams from two to four which included one youth team. All four teams won gold.
The Lightning Bolts coached by Vernon Broome consisted of veterans Eric Welch,Raven Allen, Chris Powell and Jon Lambert. The Aqua Avengers coached by Manuel Rodriguez consisted of Robert Bennett, Corey Hudson, Antonio Rodriguez and Jayce Stefani. The Thunder coached by Mike Smith consisted of Theresa Nixon, Mikeala Smith, Shaneesa Tuten and Victoria Vallotton. The Aqua Queens (our youth team) coached by Emily Guiton consisted of Ameila Vitacco, Grace Kong, Morgan Guiton and Ameila Guiton.
The Masters Swimmers results: Jayce Stefani (200m freestyle and 100m Individual Medley), two golds; Ali Naji (200m freestyle and 100m backstroke) – silver and gold; Victoria Vallotton (100m backstroke and 50m freestyle), gold and bronze; Chris Powell (25m and 50m freestyle), fourth and bronze;
Antonio Rodriguez (25m and 50m freestyle), two bronce; Corey Hudson (25m and 50m freestyle), silver and gold; Theresa Nixon (25m and 50m freestyle). silver and bronze; Mikeala Smith (25m and 50m freestyle), gold and silver; Shaneesa Tuten (25m and 50m freestyle), two gold; Stacey Yarbrough (25m freestyle and 50m backstroke), gold and silver
Braxton James (25m and 50m freestyle), two silver; Jeffrey Keating (25m and 50m freestyle), fifth and bronze; Joseph Cruz (25m freestyle), fourth; Joshua Ekechukwu (25m and 50m freestyle), fifth and fourth; Izza Giboney (25m freestyle and 25m backstroke), gold and silver; Eric Welch (50m and 100m freestyle), two bronze; Raven Allen (50m and 100m freestyle), silver and gold; Jon Lambert (50m and 100m freestyle), fourth and silver.
In the Youth, Juniors and Seniors Swimmers categories: Ameila Vitacco (25m and 50m freestyle), two gold; Derek Kong (25m and 50m freestyle), gold and silver; Grace Kong (25m and 50m freestyle), bronze and silver; Marissa Heath (25m and 50m freestyle), bronze and gold; Morgan Guiton (25m and 50m freestyle), two gold; Abigail Guiton (25m and 50m freestyle), two gold; Robert Bennett (25m and 50m freestyle), two silver.
The Volleyball team consisting of Eric Barclay, Brandy Storey, Antonio Watkins, Kim Way, Joseph Beamer, Samual McAllister, Charles Dalton, Keith Nelson, Daryl Lucas, and Olivia Rush competed in five matches winning gold.
Cameron Jones competed (Athletics Level A) in the 25m walk and the softball throw where he earned a silver and gold respectively.
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