Special to IFN

Thirty-nine athletes, six unified partners and 17 coaches from Iredell County recently traveled to Raleigh to compete in Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games. The Iredell delegation joined 1,500 athletes from 51 counties to compete in six different sports.

The local athletes began training in January to prepare for the event and brought home a record number of medals and ribbons for their efforts.

Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games kicked off with Opening Ceremonies where delegates enjoyed entertainment and the lighting of the torch.

Swimming

The Iredell County Dolphins Special Olympics Swim team, led by coaches Lisa and Matt Cartner, Andrea Mullins and Dennis Williams, rocked the pool, bringing home 22 medals and several new personal records.

Merritt Tuck had an excellent showing, earning gold medals in the 25-yard freestyle, 25-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle. Karlie Cartner earned a gold medal in 25-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle and a silver medal in the 25-yard freestyle. Jaxson Eroh earned a silver medal in 100-yard freestyle, 4th place in 50-yard backstroke and a participation ribbon in the 50-yard freestyle. Sophie Funderburk received a gold medal for her performance in the 15-meter walk; silver in 15-meter assisted swim and a participation ribbon in the 25-yard floatation race. Ben Kasprzak swam his way to two gold medals for the 25-yard freestyle and 15-meter walk. He also received a participation ribbon for the 15-meter unassisted swim. Sierra Manning came home with a gold medal in the 50-yard freestyle and a silver in 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke. Cameron McClelland, a first-time swimmer, earned gold medals in the 25-yard assisted swim and 25-yard floatation race and a participation ribbon in the 15-meter assisted swim. Chase Mullins won gold in the 50-yard backstroke, 4th place in the 100-yard freestyle and a participation ribbon in the 50-yard backstroke. Cheryl Weiss earned gold medals in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke and a participation ribbon in the 100-yard backstroke. Hunter Williams won a gold medal in the 100-yard freestyle and silver in the 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke.

Basketball

Aidyn Kime was the only Iredell County athlete to compete in basketball skills, which involves dribbling, shooting and passing the ball. Aidyn earned a silver medal in the event. Maxie Feimster served as Aidyn’s coach for the season and was very pleased with his effort and determination.

The Iredell County Eclipse 3 on 3 basketball team was made up of athletes Sincere Alexander, Preston Mobley and Morgan Parker. Nayra Smyre was unable to attend the event but helped her team all season to prepare and improve. The team walked away with a gold medal despite been down a player. Randy Stroud and Eric Feimster coached the team to victory.

Volleyball

The Iredell Elite Unified Volleyball team had an excellent showing going into the medal round undefeated after five preliminary games. Under the charge of coaches Ted Williams and Tammy Bowie, the team earned a silver medal in the final round of competition. Team members were Tyler Bowie, Preston Fox, Megan Graham, Alanna Olsen, Chase Stroud and Aleena Ueno and unified partners Revae Bostwick, Kinley Pennell, Barrett Williams and Elleigh Williams.

Powerlifting

The Genesis Titians Powerlifting team was led by coaches Kenny Moore, Chris Allen and Isaac Shumaker. Athlete Jonathan Humes powered his way to gold medals in bench press, squat, triple combo and a silver in deadlift in his division. Humes set a new personal record in deadlift at 260.6 pounds and in squat at 275 pounds. Anthony Shenefield had an excellent met as the newest member of the team, winning gold in bench press and squat and silver in deadlift and triple combo in his division. He also earned a new personal record in squat at 158 pounds. Reece Williams muscled his way to four gold medals in his division for bench press, squat, dead lift and triple combo. He set a new personal record in deadlift at 253 pounds.

Bowling

Six athletes represented Iredell County in singles bowling. Brett Troutman and Monique Farmer earned gold in their division. Patricia Reid won bronze while Patricia Rucker won 5th place in their respective divisions. Justin Bertelsen and Brian Keenan placed 6th in their divisions. In traditional doubles bowling, the teams of Mark Brown and Keith Smith won gold; Amber Hampton and Delaney Hansen won silver; Kari Dixon and Kim Snook won bronze; and Randy Wynn and Corey Stewart took home a 5th place ribbon in their divisions. Meaghan Richardson and her unified partner Sherri Moore and Josh Moore and his unified partner Eric Dixon each won gold in their division of Unified Doubles Bowling. The bowling team is coached by Cindy Snook, Joe Keenan, Roy Moore, Beth Thompson and Shane Thompson.

LEARN MORE

If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved in Special Olympics Iredell County email Bobbi Williams at iredell@sonc.net.

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