2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES
JUNE 11
June 10 marked the final day of competition for Team SONC at the USA Games. We've laughed, we've cried, we've cheered for each other and we've made a lifetime's worth of memories along the way. This is no ending, but a beginning for many friendships, bonded in the spirit of inclusive sport.
PASSING THE BATON
In the 4x100-meter relay, the quality of the baton exchange is crucial to the outcome of the race. That exchange relies on a connection with your teammate, knowing their next move before they make it. Both Unified track 4x100-meter relay teams from Green Hope High School walked off the track with bronze medals on Friday. The second relay team, Jillian Orlando, Ben Ngangola, Ethan Barbin and Ramin Mukhtar, took a moment to reflect on how their individual strengths led to a team victory.
“It’s been fun to compete with them,” said Barbin, Unified partner. “They’ve been working so hard to get here and it’s just a great team overall.”
For Ngangola, he simply loves to “run and jump.” Getting to do that alongside some of his friends makes it that much more special. “We’ve been working on building chemistry as a team so we can get the ins and outs of how to run the 4x100 together,” said Orlando, Unified partner. “It feels great knowing that all of our hard work has paid off.”
On the track, their cheers for each other are audible, even in the midst of the relay itself. In this race, all they have is each other to depend on. “It’s pretty cool watching their teamwork,” said head coach Laura Grady. “There’s nothing I can really do once they’re out there, so it’s all up to them to work together as a team.”
Together, as a team, they won bronze.
DEFENSE: BY NICK PITTS
Nick Pitts is a guard on the court for Team SONC basketball. Before their game on Friday against Special Olympics Maryland, he offered some advice on how to succeed in playing defense. “Make sure you block the ball,” said Pitts. “Make sure to play good and shoot the goal.”
Pitts may be an expert in defensive strategy, but he learned his tips and tricks from the professionals, his coaches. “I like playing on the team because my coaches give me advice on how to play good and try my best,” said Pitts.
CAN'T CATCH ME
Team SONC’s Unified track athlete Ben Ngangola “loves to run.” But more than that, he loves to chase. Ngangola grew up with two brothers, who are both present at the USA Games to cheer him on.
“He likes to chase because he was always slower than his older brothers, so he would chase them,” said Unified partner Jillian Orlando. “That’s what he knows.”
During his races at the Games, he is focused on chasing whoever is in front of him. “When he’s in first, it’s hard because he’s not chasing anyone,” said coach Tori Whitsell. The strategy has worked well, earning him a fourth-place ribbon and a bronze medal.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Team SONC athletes have many friends, family members and supporters to thank in their journey to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Some of those family members even share the field of play with our athletes. In honor of both Mother’s and Father’s Day, we would like to honor the parents who are coaching their children at this year’s USA Games.
Unified basketball coach Kent Thomas is sharing the court with his son Kevin. “Coaching my son in Special Olympics has been a fantastic experience," said Kent. "They had this opportunity, they took this opportunity and they came home with the gold."
“This is my first time my dad has been my coach and it’s going better and better,” said Kevin. Kevin adds that it is an “awesome” feeling to share a gold medal with him.
Golf coach Vince Powierski is sharing the course with his sons, athlete Chris Powierski and Unified partner Vince Powierski. Celebrating as a team and family, Vince and Chris took home the bronze medal in Level 3: Unified Alternate Shot (18-Hole). "Having the whole family here to be able to experience this, it's absolute amazing," said Vince Jr.
"My dad coaches and he's doing great for us," said Chris.
Equestrian coach Heather Glazer is sharing the arena with her daughter Leah Glazer. "We've had a lot of great mother and daughter time, lots of memories, said Heather."
