Area Special Olympians recently competed in Georgia and South Carolina fall competitions.
Forty-four athletes with the Augusta Stars took part in the Georgia State Special Olympic Fall Games in Valdosta, Georgia, and the SONA (North America) Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Invitational in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The Georgia games were Oct. 16-17.
Thirteen cyclists in three different brackets (5K/10K, 5K/1K, and 1K/500M), five Unified Bocce Teams and one tennis player brought home. 30 Gold Medals, 10 Silver Medals, 17 Bronze Medals and 12 4th place ribbons, according to a news release.
Six athletes and five unified partners participated with The Augusta Stars for the first time.
Two of the Augusta Stars long-time members were recognized by SOGA for their excellence in volunteering with the agency with Distinguished Service Awards (DSA.) DSAs are the most prestigious awards given by Special Olympics Georgia which recognizes those who have made the most distinguished contributions to the county, area or state program.
Ann Way was recognized as the Outstanding Adult and Youth Volunteer Award giving more than two decades of service, leadership, and unwavering support to athletes and their families. The Outstanding Unified Partner Award was awarded to Donny Way as one who exemplifies the true spirit of Unified Sports through their participation, sportsmanship, and commitment to inclusion who goes beyond simply participating alongside athletes but also demonstrates genuine respect, encouragement, teamwork, and friendship both on and off the field of play, the news release continued.
In bocce, the Traditional Team of Darryl Lucas, Joseph Beamer, Mikaela Smith, and Caroline Heaton went undefeated to win the gold. The teams of Cindy Isbell, Brandy Story, Erika Rothwell, and Stacey Yarbrough; Theresa Nixon, Norman Rush, Ashlyn Price, and Angela Simmons won bronze. The teams of Gabrielle Walker, JJ Martinez, Wendy Barker and Jessalyn Gillmore; and Matthew Henning, Cameron Jones, Michael Bonnett, and Jacob Herndon took fourth.
The Unified Teams of Raven Allen (A), Kim Way (A), Donny Way (UP) and Amanda Soares (UP); Chris Supulski, Zachary Gilmore, Michael Amrhein, Brian Beaupopre; and Shala Williamson, Natoya Hill, Gwendolyn Leath, and Eugene Leath won gold. The team of Avey Stoll, Samual McAlister, Renee Stoll and Greg Stoll brought home bronze. The team of Robert White, Danny Streetman, Star Settles, and Art Settles took fourth.
In the 500M/1K cycling group: Kamaiyah Wright won gold and silver; Victoria Vallotton won gold and bronze and Naomi Hicks won gold and gold. In the 1K/5K group: Justin Lawton won bronze and silver; For the 5K/10K group: Johsua Ekechukwu won silver and bronze; Cooper Claus won two gold; Chris Powell won two gold; Antonio Rodriguez won gold and silver; Nicolas Holsten won bronze and gold; Eric Welch won two gold; Jon Lambert won bronze and silver; Corey Hudson won two silver’ Jayce Stefani won silver and gold; and Jevon Dunn won two silver.
In a photo finish Cooper Claus won the 10K match up for a second year in a row. He and his older competitor are at the top of their sport and are looking forward to National and or World event opportunities.
Theresa Nixon was selected to participate in the Opening Ceremony Torch Run. The Torch Run is conducted at every event with supporting Law Enforcement as a signal to start the Games. It is an honor to be selected.
“Theresa is a positive upbeat athlete who loves to participate, socialize and uplift and encourage others around her,” according to her coach.
In South Carolina, Doyle Campbell represented not only the Augusta Stars, but Special Olympics GA in the sport of Tennis at the Special Olympics North American Tennis competition. Campbell and his coach, Vernon Broome’s adventure began a day earlier on Thursday, Oct 15.
Thursday featured a placing event in which it was determined that Campbell qualified to compete in highest level in this Special Olympics tennis event against an athlete from South Carolina. On Friday Doyle played two tennis matches consisting of 6 sets each. At this level competition is smaller in number and Doyle played two athletes from Virginia.
On Saturday, he played the championship game against an athlete from South Carolina. Doyle competed in and dominated all 4 matches earning his gold medal.
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