Special Olympics athletes ready for state competition

The Winter Special Olympics continued Friday with approximately 400 middle and high school students participating in various events in the gymnasium at Veterans High School.

Among those participating Friday was Jamie Novinger, 14, from Thomson Middle School. She was pleased with placing first in individual skill heat No. 10, which involved dribbling, shooting and hitting a square with the basketball. She also enjoyed later in the day getting a rainbow painted on her face.

In weight lifting, Jacob Hall, 18, from Veterans High; Chris Logas, 16, from Houston County High School; Nick Yasechko, 17, from Veterans High; and Michael Adams, 16, from Perry High School, all placed first in their weight class.

Stephen Roberson, adapted physical education specialist, who helps coordinate the local Special Olympics, said the group did very well Friday. He noted Hall and Logas have competed before, whereas, this is a first for Adams and Yasechko. He said Adams, Logas and Hall will go to the state Special Olympics in Atlanta to compete against other athletes in the southeast. He said they’re working on learning the form.

Roberson explained that for their competition, they have to hold the weights longer when listening for commands.

Adams said he trains every two days. When asked about Friday’s competition, he said he enjoyed it, but his favorite part was benching. He also said he liked winning his weight class.

“I’ve been training so hard. It finally paid off,” Adams said.

The local Special Olympics is held three times a year — in the fall, winter and spring. Approximately 150 local students from four high schools and two middle schools will go to state this year to compete in bowling, basketball and weight lifting.

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.

Special Olympics Georgia currently has 27,110 registered athletes with close to 600 participants in Houston County. It serves athletes with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 programs in 120 counties.

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