COLUMBUS — There were 22 athletes representing Knox County at the Special Olympics State Championship at The Ohio State University over the weekend.
“We had a total of 16 athletes who competed in basketball skills competition and six swimmers this year,” explained Talisha Beha, Knox County Special Olympics coordinator for the Knox County Board of DD (Developmental Disabilities) as well as family engagement and community integration.
In the swimming competition, Kelsyey took first place in both the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter backstroke. Merakyse placed second in the same events.
Beha said the Knox County contingent did not have a team for the team basketball competition.
“In order to compete as a team, you must get through the regionals, and we lost our first game at that level,” Beha said.
The athletes, coaches, and fans had a bit of a road trip to the regional team competition in Van Buren.
Even though the team was unable to qualify, individuals competed in the basketball skills events.
“This is basically an introduction to basketball,” the coordinator said. “The athletes rotate between three obstacles. There is a 10-meter dribble, a passing drill, and a shooting competition.”
The dribbling stations help competitors hone their ball-handling skills, while the passing competition teaches possibly one of the most challenging aspects of the game: sharing and teamwork.
The shooting competition takes place from different locations on the court. Points are awarded for hitting the rim, or, in the best case, making a basket.
Beha said that the Special Olympics is a community effort.
“The community support here is amazing. The athletes are able to compete at no cost to them,” Beha said. “We cover all of the costs, but our success at the state tournament is based on the support here at home.”
One way expenses are paid is through fundraisers. At present, the fundraiser would appeal to those with a sweet tooth: The team is selling Anthony Thomas chocolates.
Beha offered a brief history of the Special Olympics.
“Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, the Special Olympics was named to emphasize the ‘special’ talents, gifts, and abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, rather than their limitations,” she said.
While there are obvious differences, there are many similarities as well.
“Just like any other sports training program, we offer regular practice and competition opportunities. But the National and World games follow a structure and schedule more similar to the traditional association with the word Olympics,” Beha said.
“We utilize the title ‘Special Olympics’ at all levels of competition because local programs are the community-level, grassroots branches of the global Special Olympics movement.”
On March 20 at 6 p.m., the Special Olympics Knox County Eagles will challenge local celebrities at Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Ariel Arena. There is no charge to see the game.
“They try as hard as any other athlete in any other sport, and to make it as far as they did, shows the effort they put in,” Beha said.
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