Twenty one Special Olympics Moore County athletes recently returned from state level competition at Special Olympics Summer Games in Raleigh, June 1-3, where they joined almost 1,900 other Special Olympics North Carolina athletes.
This year’s competition was especially festive as the Special Olympics movement is celebrating 50 years of joy, courage and empowerment worldwide. Since 1968, the organization has used the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The Moore County delegation competed in athletics, bowling, and swimming. The following results are for local athletes from each event.
Athletics: Track and field events were held at the George Williams Athletic Complex on the St. Augustine’s University campus in Raleigh.
*Adam Aponte, of Southern Pines, earned a 5th place ribbon in the 50m dash, a bronze medal in the standing long jump, and silver in the softball throw.
*Rocky Brewer, of West End, earned a bronze medal in the 50m dash, silver in the standing long jump, and gold in the softball throw.
*Eddie Clark, of Aberdeen, earned a bronze medal in the running long jump, and a silver in both the shot put and the 100m dash.
*Crystal Fairley, of Vass, earned a fourth place ribbon in the 50m dash, with a silver in the standing long jump, and gold in the softball throw.
*Joseph Littlejohn, of Cameron, earned a 4th place ribbon in the running long jump, a silver medal in the 100m dash, along with a gold in the shot put.
*Levi Marquardt, 24, of Carthage, earned a silver medal in the running long jump, as well as gold medals in both the 200m dash and the 400m run.
*Abby Simmons, of Cameron, earned a complete set of medals, with a bronze in the running long jump, silver in the 200m dash, and gold in the 100m dash.
Bowling: Doubles and team bowling competitions were held at the Buffaloe Lanes North in Raleigh, with singles competition at Buffaloe Lanes in Cary.
* The Moore Alley Cats consisted of Anna Page, of Carthage, Chris Powierski, of Pinehurst, Katie Smitham, of Southern Pines, Ashlyn Tilley, of West End, and Alana Willis, of Aberdeen. The Alley Cats won 4th place in the competition among 5-man Baker teams.
*The Moore King Pins were a doubles team, made up of Lawrence Shamberger, of Robbins, and DaJante Thomas, of Aberdeen. The King Pins won gold in their division.
*The Moore County singles bowlers were Jordan Brooks, of Southern Pines, Griffin Currall, of Southern Pines, and Deirdre Daniels, 34, of Carthage. They earned a silver, gold, and bronze respectively.
Swimming: Swimming events were held at the Triangle Aquatics Center in Cary.
*Matthew Bass, of Southern Pines, won silver medals in both the 100y backstroke and the 100y freestyle. He earned a gold in the 50y backstroke.
*Betsy Brouwers, of Southern Pines, won gold in the 50m freestyle.
*Katy Nail, of Whispering Pines, won silver medals in the 25y backstroke and the 50y freestyle. She won gold in the 25y freestyle.
*Joey Ransdell, of Aberdeen, won silver in the 50y butterfly, and gold medals in the 200y freestyle and in the 500y freestyle.
Special Olympics Moore County offers year-round training and competition in seven Olympic-style sports for nearly 200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. To learn more about Moore County’s programs or to get involved as an athlete or volunteer, contact the local coordinators at [email protected] or visit sonc.net/local-programs/moore-county/
Article written by Melinda Ransdell
