Valley Special Olympians give it their all

Polson Special Olympics coach Kris Kelly said she felt the state Special Olympics event exemplified much more than just wins and losses.

Kelly said the Olympic games also embody participation, determination, and just “doing your personal best.”

During the Special Olympic state games in Missoula, she said her 49 participants did just that.

“I think the games is just about finding a way to do better than you did previously,” Kelly said. “Most of our athletes did their personal best. Everyone there was doing their best to cheer everyone else on whether you were a teammate or not. Everyone deserves the same respect and they gave that to even the racers that finished last. There were cheers that were louder for some of the athletes finishing than there was for the people that crossed the finish line first.”

Kelly estimated there were more than 1,300 participants and 500 coaches that participated in the state Special Olympics. She said it was easy for the participants and the coaches to “get overwhelmed” from the magnitude of the event.

“You can’t help from getting overwhelmed, especially when you line up for track and Bocce ball,” Kelly said. “The biggest thing you learn to do at the Special Olympics is to be flexible. You have to be able to figure out whatever is happening and make it successful to do the best that you can as a team.”

Pirates’ Special Olympic athlete Martin Schlensker showcased the perseverance of a Special Olympic athlete, Kelly said.

Typically, Schlensker only participates in the 25-meter swimming event. Because of a mix- up, he competed in the 50-meter for the first time ever on the bright stage of the state games.

“We had a last minute change and the students moved to the 4X50 swim relay,” Kelly said. “Martin had only experienced the 25-meter swim and I didn’t even get to see part of it. Martin was exhausted and finished a race that was a little beyond his capabilities (at the time) but now we know that he can do it.”

Martin was part of a four-person relay team that consisted of Ajalin Simshaw (unified partner), Landin Zimmerer (unified partner), and athlete Dothan Stene.

“They all know how to dive off the blocks and Martin had only done it maybe four times in practice,” Kelly said. “They got off the blocks and swam 50-meters. I was very impressed. That is what the Special Olympics is all about. I’ll try to win and also be brave in the attempt.”

Kris Kelly said the Pirates athletes all were “amazing” in their response to the competitive nature of the event.

“They were up against some really tough competition,” Kelly said. “Our team won a lot of ribbons and crossed the finish line doing the absolute best they could.”

New teams added to the Mission Valley

This Special Olympic season there were several new teams that participated in the Mission Valley as part of their efforts to expand teams valley-wide.

Prior to this season, the only team that participated in the Special Olympics was Polson. This season, the Special Olympics expanded its teams and reach in the valley by adding teams from Charlo, Mission, Ronan, and Arlee to the fold.

“It was just crazy at one point because Mission had a whole group of fans stand up for their team,” Special Olympics Tribal Outreach director for the Flathead Reservation April Charlo said. “It just moves me that we are breaking barriers and stereotypes, and to actually see that all happen was really special.”

Unified partner for some of the Special Olympic athletes Peyton Lammerding said the experience working with the athletes was “enlightening.”

“There is just so much support for the athletes,” Lammerding said. “We work with them, help coach them, and even the unified partners give so much support and support from random parents of the opponents. They were just cheering for the athletes and all ‘round, there is no such thing as negativity in this environment.”

Lammerding said the experience of being involved with the Special Olympics was a great time for the student from Arlee.

She said she felt the most fun was interacting with athletes themselves at the state games. Lammerding also would help the athletes at the games.

“It was so much fun,” Lammerding said. “You get to hang out and it’s always happy. The Special Olympics is such an upbeat environment. Whether you win or lose at the Special Olympics, it is a great time.”