Special Olympics athletes win medals

On the mountain and in the gym, athletes from Southwest Washington earned medals during the Special Olympics of Washington 2011 Winter Games, held March 4-6 in Wenatchee.

In skiing and snowboarding competition, Angelina Schubothe of Vancouver won gold in all her individual advanced-level events. Schubothe is a member of the Vancouver Sno Phantoms, a team that earned 27 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and six bronze medals in alpine events at the Winter Games.

Twins Josh Kubin and Jake Kubin of Longview, first year Sno Phantom athletes, had a successful state meet. Josh Kubin was awarded gold medals in giant slalom, downhill, and slalom events for alpine skiing. Jake Kubin was awarded snowboarding gold medals in the slalom, giant slalom and super giant slalom.

The Unified Teams — which pair non-disabled athletes with Special Olympics athletes — included Mary Velardi (Camas) and Nicole Banks (Vancouver), Jonathon Schauer (Washougal) and Josh Dever (Vancouver), Briana Davis (Ridgefield) and Natasha Dever (Vancouver), Trevor Parker (Portland) and Talon GeBorde (Vancouver), Ronald Christopher (Vancouver) and Larry Mathews (Vancouver), Gigi Gernhart (Vancouver) and Shelby Gernhart (Ellensburg). Individual athletes on the Sno Phantoms were Dalton Chisim, Heather Doenecke, Ryan Fielding, Josh Kubin, Jake Kubin, Angelina Schubothe, Jason Tevlin, and Mike Trent. Head coaches are Sandy Gernhart and Bart Gernhart.

The Sno Phantoms are the only Special Olympic skiing and snowboarding team in southwest Washington. Their athletes range in age from 18 to 49.

In basketball, one Vancouver team won a gold medal, and several other teams earned silver.

The Vancouver Bobcats won the Junior 1 Division gold medal. Players were Johnathan Chidester, Thomas Chidwick, Mariah Davis, Dennis Dole, Jr., Kat Sanders, Jason Sorenson, Fiona Wimber, Bryanna Zychowicz, Corbyn Zychowicz and Schuyler Zychowicz. The coach was Brandi Zychowicz assisted by Jon Wimber.

The Blue Sonics won silver medals. Their players were Rachel Akins, Danny Baragary, Jason Baumgartner, Jonathan Boyles, Karen Carrico, Tim Cook, Joseph Dawson, Matt Folkerts, Luke Grenz, and John Veals, John. The coach was Elizabeth Francis, assisted by Aaron Smith.

In Skills Level 2, the Clark County Pirates won silver medals. Players were: David Balas, Kevin Brown, Carl Crosiar, Greg Martino, Larry Monroe. The Pirates’ coach was Gary Haliski.

In the Master 1 Division, the Clark County Wizards earned silver medals. Wizards players were Michael Bronson, Michael Cook, Nathan Ellis, Russ Jones, Alberto Rivera, Cory Robak, Luke Smith, Ivan Soltero, and Andrew Stekhuizen. The coach was Audrey Stekhuizen.

The Vancouver Terriers won bronze medals in the Team Senior 2 Division. Their players were: Ashleigh Cook, Jeremy Descloux, Anna Fish, Antonio Guijarro, Ashley Medlock, Jesua Palominos, Cesar Sanchez, Patrick Saturay, Tanner Stinson and Maria Preciado. The Terriers were coached by Jayne King and assistants Jo Anne Coehlo and Chris Newell.

In individual skills, the Vancouver Terriers’ Roxanne Maki took second place.

The Rollin Cats won fourth-place ribbons. Players were Tina Colantuono, Jeremy Haliski, Susan Kunkel, Charles Rymer, and Lori Steed. Their coach was Teresa Haliski, assisted by Debi Richard.