?I won! I won!? yelled Penny Cannon, of Spokane. She didn?t actually come in first in the 500-meter cross country ski race, but everyone is a winner during the Special Olympics Washington Winter Games. More than 1,500 athletes from around the state competed in winter sports events at various Wenatchee Valley locations Friday through Sunday.
Nora Schott, Leavenworth, and Nick Mott, Cashmere, leave the starting line in the 100 meter cross country race during the 2012 Special Olympics Washington Winter Games Saturday.
LEAVENWORTH ? Nick Mott was very excited about competing in his first Nordic ski events in the 2012 Special Olympics Washington Winter Games Saturday.
?Yes sir. Very excited. Yes sir,? he said politely and excitedly as he cheered on his teammates on the Icicle Trackers during a 500-meter race at the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club?s Icicle River ski trail.
Mott, 21, of Cashmere, was next up in the 100-meter and 300-meter races. The results brought cheers, hugs, high-fives and two bright medals, prizes that most Special Olympians treasure and show with pride throughout the year.
The Special Olympic games continue today with a third and final day of winter sport competition at the ski trail in Leavenworth, Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort and other Wenatchee Valley locations. Figure and speed skating competition finished Saturday at the Town Toyota Center.
Mott?s path to the games is not unlike that of many of the 1,500 Special Olympic competitors, all who have various levels of intellectual disability. As a youngster, doctors assessed him as severely autistic and said it was unlikely he would ever speak or live outside of an institution, said Toddi Morneau, his guardian. Mornea and her husband, Rich, took Mott in 15 years ago after his mother struggled with taking care of him. He was the first autistic student allowed in regular classes at the school district, starting in kindergarten at age 6, and the experience has helped him open up.
?He?s done more than expected every year. Everytime you raise the bar, he goes for it. He?s an inspiration,? said Morneau. He got involved in groups sports only recently. Special Olympics was a big step for Nick, she said.
It?s a big deal for the athletes and their parents and guardians, added Terry Anderman, who helped organize the local Icicle Trackers team, now participating in its ninth Special Olympics. Six teams and about 100 athletes from around the state participated in the cross country events Saturday.
?It?s a chance for family members to celebrate. There?s not always something to celebrate. It can be hard on the families,? said Anderman, whose son Daniel competes.
Competition and winning medals is huge encouragement to the athletes, said Polly McIntyre, trackers coach.
?There?s something about getting lined up for a race and everybody cheering them on. They really come alive,? she said.
Caryl Morrrell, Wenatchee Parks and Recreation supervisor and deputy director of the games, said Saturday events were going smoothly and excitement was high. Alpine skiing events took a break for awhile Saturday afternoon because of blowing snow, but later resumed. The games includes some serious competition with gold medal winners in downhill and Nordic skiing, ice skating and basketball events qualifying for the World Special Olympics in South Korea next year.
The biggest enticement, however, may be the Saturday night dance, said Morrell.
?They work real hard to get to the dance. That?s the highlight,? she said.
The Wenatchee Valley has hosted the Special Olympics state winter games for 22 years. The games bring thousands of athletes, family members, coaches and volunteers to the valley, pumping upwards of $1 million into the local economy each year. The valley nearly lost the games last year when the Special Olympics organization balked at increasing operation costs. Local tourism groups, businesses and civic organizations contributed $30,000 and another $50,000 in in-kind donations to keep the games here.
Rick Steigmeyer: 664-7151
steigmeyer@wenatcheeworld.com
Source: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/mar/06/special-olympics-a-family-celebration/
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