Special Olympic Bowlers bring home medals
COSHOCTON – Sixteen bowlers represented Coshocton County at the Special Olympic State Tournament in Columbus on Oct. 20.
Each athlete participates in bowling on Sunday evenings in Coshocton with coaches Lillie and Rick Corder. Anyone with a developmental disability is welcome to join the team, beginning at age 8. People who use a wheelchair are able to use a ramp as they bowl. They have to bowl at least 15 games before going to a qualifying tournament in Zanesville. They are then registered for the state tournament using their averages from those games.
Two teams of two members and three teams of four competed in the tournament. Doubles team Richard K. and Susan W. won gold medals, along with Doubles team Jacob L. and Dakota M. The four member team comprised of Lindsey A., Hannah B., Kaylea J., and Brittany S. won gold medals.
Four person team Andy B., Zach G., Nick M., and Jason N. won silver medals and the four person team of Jalen B., Brandon C., Hugh H., and Scott S. won bronze medals. Jalen also sang the National Anthem to open the tournament.
Toby Collins, director of recreation and Special Olympics for the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities said, “Our Special Olympic oath is ‘Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ What that means is that it’s awesome when an athlete or team comes out of a competition in first place, but it is just as important that they know they did their own personal best whether they win or not.”
Athletes can compete is several sports in Coshocton County including basketball, flag football, bowling and softball. “Special Olympics is about watching that athlete that couldn’t rebound a basketball in the beginning of the season to rebounding and dribbling down the court toward their basket!” said Collins.
Coach Lillie Corder said, “In Special Olympics, the athletes can be themselves. They can do the sports at their level. They love making new friends and working towards winning ribbons or medals. Their smiles are so worth it and their hugs make my day. We are like a big family.” Corder would also like to thank the many volunteers who help with bowling every week.
