The Unified T-Ball Team

By Dave Ross | Special to Hawaii 24/7

Special Olympics West Hawaii traveled to Oahu May 27-29 to compete in the 2011 State Summer Games.  The West Hawaii team, comprised of 52 athletes, coaches and unified partners from Oceanview to Waimea, competed at the UH-Manoa campus with the 850 statewide athletes in softball, powerlifting, swimming and track and field events.

Opening ceremonies took place at Les Murakami Statium and welcomed over 2,500 volunteers participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run named for fallen police officer Troy Barboza.  Hawaii County Police Detective Renee Morinaka represented West Hawaii and enjoyed the run with endless smiles and enthusiasm.

The Sharks brought home five gold, five silver and four bronze medals from swimming events.

Special Olympics West Hawaii brought home seven gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals from the events.

The Sharks, led by head coach Holly DeGeal, medaled in 14 of the 20 events the swimmers entered with Kaiena Costa edging out two other swimmers in the 50m freestyle by less than one second.

The Cobras Tee-Ball team used the power of the the Phillip sisters, Malia Conner and Jennifer Poblano to net their fourth place finish.

Isaiah Wong crushed the competition with a 440 pound dead-lift in his 180 pound weight class.  The dual sport Phillip sisters also each took home a silver in the bench press competition.

Kona Speedsters in the track events.

The Kona speedsters burned up Ching Field track with Lendon Cariaga-Ventura and Damian Extor bringing home a combined four medals including a bronze in the 4x100m Unified relay.

The Kona Magua Unified Softball team played at Murakami Stadium to a third place finish behind the pitching and timely hitting of Don Tornow.  Unified sports teams are a team made up of a 50/50 mix of Special Olympics athletes and community partners without disabilities.

Special Olympics is dedicated to year-round sports training for children and adults with developmental disabilities.  We train all year round in 3 distinct sports seasons and are always open to new athletes and volunteers regardless of prior experiences with the developmentally disabled community.  Our next sports season consists of bocce ball and soccer.  We will host island wide teams on July 31st in a local competition and travel to Oahu in mid August for the State Aukake Classic.

If you have any questions about the program feel free to email us at specialolympicswh@gmai… or call Special Olympics West Hawaii Area Director David Ross at (808) 345-1344 and visit our website at http:www.sowh.org

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Police Department and volunteers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kailua-Kona Sunday, April 11, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics athletes.

This event, known as the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, is a tradition in the law enforcement community around the world. It begins at 9 a.m. at First Hawaiian Bank in the Lanihau Shopping Center.

The “Flame of Hope” will be carried along Alii Drive, go to Hale Halewai and end at The Club in Kona, where the Special Olympics West Hawaii Powerlifting Tournament will be held directly after the run.

The public is encouraged to attend the SOWH Powerlifting Tournament. Scores will be used at the State Summer Special Olympic Games on Oahu in late May.

Those who make donations of $20 or more will receive a free commemorative 2010 Troy Barboza/First Hawaiian Bank Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirt or tank top. A $25 donation entitles the donor to a long-sleeved shirt or one in XXXL size.

For more information about the Torch Run, call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. To donate supplies or volunteer for the tournament, call SOWH Area Director Dave Ross at 345-1344.

The spring sports season is underway and practices begin Wednesday, Feb. 4 for Special Olympics West Hawaii participants. 

* Softball and T-Ball are 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at the Old Kona Airport Park’s baseball field.

* Swimming is 5-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at the Kona Community Aquatic Center.

* Powerlifting is 5:15-6:15 p.m. Wednesdays and 10-11 a.m. Saturdays at The Club at Kona.

* Track and Field is 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Kealakehe High School’s track. 

SOWH athletes can participate in two sports. Anyone interested in competing or volunteering should sign-up by e-mailing KC Strand, SOWH volunteer coordinator, at zionvideos@yahoo.com. Or contact Lona Warner, SOWH head of delegation, at 989-2080, 327-0491, or biglona@hotmail.com. 

SOWH is a year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For more information, visit www.sowh.org.