Valley Special Olympians excel in area games
THE CHARLO Vikings' Special Olympic team takes a picture before participating in the area Special Olympic events held in Missoula and Frenchtown. (courtesy of Bethany Manuel)
CHARLO SPECIAL Olympian participates in Bocce Ball during the area Special Olympics in Missoula. (photo courtesy of Bethany Manuel)
Several valley-area athletes competed in the Special Olympics area games this past weekend in Missoula and Frenchtown.
The area games that we just attended were wed in frenchtown for track and field on the high school track and Thursday in Missoula at Playfair Park for bocce ball. The games included athletes from Polson all the way down to the Bitterroot.
According LPC Bethany Manual, an LPC in Charlo, events like this bring athletes together.
“Playing sports together is the quickest path to friendship and understanding,” Manuel said. “I am very excited for Charo to be a unified champion school. It is heart warming to see all of the athletes and unified partners creating friendships. The smiles on their faces are priceless.”
Manuel said the main mission statement for these games is “unity” and “understanding.”
“I think the main thing for the story is the idea of inclusion and the schools all becoming unified champion schools where the athletes compete with unified partners,” Manual said.”The idea behind it is that sports is the quickest path to friendship and understanding.”
Manual said she and her teams are looking forward to the state games in May.
LPC Coach Crystal Meyer said she was “proud” of the way her students represented the schools.
“They put in a lot of hard work to prepare for the competition, and they should be proud of the effort that they put forth,” Meyer said. “Our athletes and unified partners have developed real friendships with one another. I am so proud of the way they have supported and cheered for all of the teams in the area.”
Special Olympic participant Charles Lilly, from Ronan, said he really enjoyed Bocce Ball.
“I really like to go to area games and meet new people,” Lilly said. “I’m looking forward to having fun at the State Summer Games.”
Ethan Coleman, also from Ronan, like Lily said he has his eye on a medal as well at the State Summer Games.
“I am looking forward to trying my best to earn a gold medal at the State Summer Games,” Coleman said.
Ronan participant Ray Little Boy said he likes the game for the social aspect.
“I enjoyed getting to know our athletes better, and getting to hang out with them outside of the classroom,” Little Boy said. “I met a lot of people from other schools, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again in May.