Special athletes enjoy summer games

On the weekend of May 9, Laramie played host to the 2019 Summer Games for Special Olympics of Wyoming. Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) sent five students to compete and, for the first time this year, were able to play in 3-on-3 basketball and compete in a 4x100 meter relay.

Michael Dugger, who attends Encampment K-12 School, is familiar with Special Olympics and always looks forward to it. While he enjoys basketball, what he enjoys even more is the chance to stay at a hotel and eat out. This is something shared by all of those who competed this year and is something that competitors look forward to year after year.

"It's like a mini-vacation," said Sarah Johansson, an occupational therapist with CCSD2.

Along with Dugger, Daniel Purchase, Eli Williams and Jack Chatfield attended from Saratoga Elementary School and Aiden Clarke went from Saratoga Middle High School. Williams and Chatfield were able to compete with Daniel in 3-on-3 basketball as part of the Special Olympics' Unified Sports program, which makes up teams with athletes of similar age and ability.

"In the past four years, we haven't had enough people for a team. It was awesome that Eli and Jack came as unified partners because then we had a 3-on-3 team and then we also had a track relay team," Johansson said.

"When I first started, I was scared of the basketball and I think I still am a little" said Chatfield.

"He is really getting much better at rebounding, like putting up his hands for the rebound coming down," said Johansson. "And he's great at defense."

While Dugger has an affinity for pasta, from spaghetti to couscous, the other students all enjoy the chance to be able to eat cheese pizza at Pizza Hut. Their trip to Laramie also includes stays at a hotel for the athletes and their families, which is another bonus for the students.

"I think the funnest part was when I was in the swimming pool and relaxing in my hotel room," said Williams.

For Clarke, the ability to play basketball was the best part of Special Olympics. Not only does he like "shooting hoops," but has made a three-pointer in the past.

It is probably safe to say that each year, students from CCSD2 provide an example of the mission for Special Olympics, "to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of talents, skills and friendship with their families, friends, other Special Olympics athletes and the community."