2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES
JUNE 7
Team SONC headed into their first day of competition on June 6! As they participated in preliminary competition, they showed their skills on the courts, fields, track, golf course, and in the pool.
SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES
Team Special Olympics North Carolina soccer’s own Andie Jackson scored the first goal of Monday’s preliminary game against Special Olympics Virginia. The Buncombe County-based team did not let the game’s 7-2 loss affect their positive energy on the field or their outlook for the rest of the Games!
“It was awesome,” said Jackson. “Just go out there and give your best.”
Team SONC soccer shared in their accomplishments with friends and families in the stands, including Alex Pott’s sisters, Kim and Ashley, who brought along a sizeable cutout of Pott’s head. Brothers Drew and Chris Coplin were accompanied by their parents, who traveled from Asheville to cheer them on.
“It’s a lot of fun, a lot of fun to see them out there working and playing,” said Andrew, their father. At halftime, Drew encouraged his fellow teammates saying, “We’re doing our best!”
Looking forward to the next face-off on the field, the team is focusing on their strengths. “We passed really well,” said head coach Karla Furnari. “They did well moving around the field to make sure that they were open for each other.”
ROLLING FOR GOLD
Kicking off at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Convention Center, Team SONC bocce embarked on their quest for gold on Monday.
Special Olympics Brunswick County Ashley Lederer and Katie Juda won both of their bocce matches on Monday. Tuesday, Lederer will be competing for the gold and is “very excited” to keep pursuing her dreams on the bocce court.
“She didn’t just win, she won by a lot,” said coach James Price.
BEHIND THE CAMERA
"55 seconds in 400M prelims? OMG, I got first in my heat, I'm so ready to run 400M again tomorrow afternoon!"
Special Olympics Wilkes County athlete Ke'Shaun Tillman will be representing Team SONC in athletics and as a credentialed media representative, alongside his mentor, Erin Johnston.
Tillman is a freelance photographer with 531 Photography LLC, founded by Johnston, and the News-Topic in Lenoir, North Carolina.
PARS AND PUPS
Special Olympics Wake County golf athlete Rebecca Ryan competed in the Level 1: Individual Skill Competition on Monday at Orange County National Golf Center, coached by Vince Powierski. Ryan has what it takes to win gold: focus, determination and compassion for everyone on the course.
"I'm having a lot of fun," said Ryan. "When I am standing next to the ball, I am staying focused on the ball, trying to hit.The NC State women's golf team helped me with my warmups."
Ryan trained with the NC State women's golf team and Par4Success in preparation for the Special Olympics USA Games. "Rebecca has worked so hard at her game, I could not be more proud," said Powierski.
If you find Ryan on the course, you will also find Duffers Mulligan, a stuffed toy dog that Powierski brought along with him to the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. During the Games, Duffers brought a sense of comfort and an added element of luck to North Carolina athletes. During Monday's skill competition, Duffers was cheering Ryan on from atop her golf bag!
TEAM SONC PHOTO GALLERY
"We're tired, but ready to win."- Unified partner Jillian Orlando (Unified track)
"My favorite part of the day was running on the track! It felt good to run fast like Lightning McQueen!" - Ramin Mukhtar (Unified track)
"We won in basketball! We beat Colorado!" - David Smith (Basketball)
"I played defense, I dribbled!"- Nick Pitts (Basketball)
Team SONC Equestrian meets their horse partners
June 6 was particularly exciting for the equestrian team as they were able to meet the horses that they are matched with for competition!
