Eight Warren County Special Olympics team members brought home medals after successfully competing in their first 2019 Special Olympics Tennessee Summer Games this past weekend.
Over 1,100 participants came to Nashville from all over the state to compete at Lipscomb University in events such as track and field, bocce and softball throws.
Warren County High School senior Keara Smith and junior James Coates won gold in the 100-meter track race, as well as receiving gold medals for the softball throw in their divisions.
The two-time gold medal winners, Coates and Smith, had different opinions on which sports they enjoyed most. “Running was my favorite part,” says Coates. While Smith said she liked the softball throw.
Special Olympics coach Loree DeArmond said, “The kids absolutely loved it. This was many of their first times staying the night away from home. Along with being able to participate in new experiences, the most rewarding moment for each of them was standing on the pedestals to receive their medals. It brought them so much joy, pride and excitement.”
Each participating athlete from Warren County came home with high finishes. Reba Merriman and Allie Latiner earned gold in the traditional bocce doubles. Tyger Davenport and Ian DeArmond won bronze in the unified bocce double, and Rudy DeArmond and Julianne Thomas placed fourth.
“The students enjoyed themselves thoroughly,” said Aimee Bielling, the track coach for the team. “It was nice to see a different side of the students once they became excited and felt proud of themselves after their wins.”
An opening ceremony began Friday night when the athletes were welcomed into the competition by walking in the Special Olympics Parade of Athletes. Law enforcement officers carried the flames to light the cauldron, signifying the games had begun.
After the games ended, a celebration party took place where all the athletes danced and were able to have fun with one another after their day full of hard work. Although Smith enjoyed competing, she says, “My favorite part of the weekend was the dance. It was a lot of fun.”
Next year, the local Special Olympics team hopes to incorporate flag football and bowling into their sports activities and will compete once a month in regional tournaments in order to go to the 2020 Special Olympics Tennessee Summer Games.
