Halton Hills athletes turned in outstanding performances at the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games in Waterloo on the weekend.
Each of the 14 athletes won at least one medal, with the group winning a total of 45, including 29 gold.
“For some of them it was their first experience going to a provincial Games,” said Sue Padt, community coordinator for Special Olympics Halton Hills. “They represented their community so well. They were polite, friendly and helpful to the other athletes and coaches.”
Halton Hills swimmers Angelina Guttman, Sydney Paul and Austin Daleman and rhythmic gymnast Emily Arbic-Cohen, captured gold medals in each of their four events. Swimmers Kealyn Cherwaiko (two gold, one silver, one bronze) and Michelle O’Keefe (one gold, two silver, one bronze) also captured four medals each.
Swimmers Amanda Bruder, Taylor Masse and Andrew Henry each won two gold medals and a silver and Brandon Grove won a gold and two silver medals.
Rhythmic gymnasts Kiera Ward, Joannah Beer and Jorja Padt each won a gold medal while Jamieson Bonk won a pair of bronze medals.
Sue Padt said the Games, which ran from May 23-26 at Wilfrid Laurier University, were very well organized.
“Wilfrid Laurier University set it up like an Olympics,” she said. “The athletes lived on campus for a few days and (organizers) used the residences like an athletes' village.”
The Halton Hills contingent included four volunteer coaches, Padt, Lisa Guttman, Sara Padt and Mike Grove.
Special Olympics Halton Hills, now in its 11th year, offers programs for seven sports. In addition to swimming and rhythmic gymnastics, it also offers track and field, floor hockey, basketball, soccer and curling.
The volunteer-run organization relies on donations to provide its programs. For more information about the organization, visit haltonhills.specialolympics.ca.
