MORE THAN SPORTS

We’d like to take a moment to recognize three important members of Team SONC’s delegation. Coach Liza Mason, Unified partner Julia Dooley and athlete Eden Porter are participating in the Youth Leadership Experience (YLE), practicing Unified leadership skills on a national stage. In Unified pairs, youth leaders serve in a variety of volunteer roles across functional areas, in addition to supporting their state Program delegation.

Wednesday’s rotation focused on social media and storytelling as Dooley and Eden spent the day learning the art of inclusive storytelling. After a day of interviewing fellow Team SONC athletes, Dooley and Porter wrote a feature piece on swimmer Amber Hampton. In the Unified Sports Rotation, Dooley and Porter were given a first-hand look at Meaningful Involvement in action through direct game evaluation. Learning outcomes focused on how to implement successful Unified Sports programming in school communities from the perspective of student advocates and administrators.

"I've learned that there is more to Special Olympics than just sports," said Dooley. There is a lot more to it."

In addition to attending Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools rotations, Team SONC’s YLE representatives visited the Healthy Athletes venue on Thursday and Porter was fitted for a pair of prescription goggles.

TEAM SPIRIT

On Friday, Team SONC bocce's week of competition will culminate in one final team match. For the past week, these ladies have been bonding, cheering for each other and creating lasting memories. All hailing from Brunswick and New Hanover counties, they've got ties that bind them.

"We should be very proud of how hard we worked and how hard we played," said athlete Ashley Lederer. "I think we did very well as a team."

On Friday, athlete Emmie Stanley says that their goal is to "take the gold." Jill Meyer's intention is to "focus and do better." As a team, they are a force to be reckoned with. Let's go, Team SONC bocce!

COLT FOLLOWING

Team SONC equestrian, without a doubt, has a colt following. On Monday, the four-person team met their new teammates, the horses. Tuesday, athletes participated in divisioning to ready for Wednesday’s competition. After a day of riding toward gold in Western Equitation, our team left saddled with medals. Leah Glazer rode home with a gold in *Level BI Western Equitation. In *Level A Western Equitation, Justin Branham earned the gold and Nathan Klein the bronze. On Thursday, the second day of competition for equestrian, McKenna Priebe earned a silver medal in *Level BS Western Equitation.

When asked about her favorite part of competing, Glazer responded that, "it's on the rail," meaning that the horse remains on the outer barrier of the arena. "I'm feeling good."

This is the first time that equestrian has been included in a Special Olympics USA Games. Team SONC athletes are making history with their presence here at the Games. Special Olympics Durham County athlete Nathan Klein took a moment after his bronze medal win to reflect on all that has happened to get him to where he is today.

"I'd like to tell my third-grade self that you're going to do this one day at a higher level and win," said Klein. We're sure that his third-grade self is in awe of that bronze medal. Klein has many supporters to thank. One of them is his newest friend at the Special Olympics USA Games - his horse, Sam.

"As luck would have it, I got Sam and, in just four rides, I would say we have a very good partnership," said Klein. "I'm kind of a bummer I never get to ride him again." From a distance, they will always be bonded in their bronze win for North Carolina.

*Level BI (Be Independent) - The athlete has no supported lead in walking and trotting

*Level BS (Be Supported) - The athlete has a supported lead in walking and trotting

*Level A - The athlete competes in walking, trotting and cantering without a supported lead