Clark County Special Olympians succeed

Softball players and golfers from Clark County found success at Special Olympics of Washington regional tournaments held July 27-28.

Four softball teams from Clark County earned spots in the Special Olympics of Washington state softball tournament by winning their regional competition. Nine Clark County softball teams took part in the tournament in Olympia.

Winning gold medals were the Braves, the Cardinals, the Reds and the Mariners. Those teams, along with members of the Clark County Rockies individual skills softball team, qualified for state, which will take place Saturday and Sunday in Everett.

Players for the Braves were: Daniel Barich, Aaron Bernabi, Eli Bernabi, Tim Cook, Joseph Dawson, Casey Ellison, Conner Finerty, Cole Gaddis, McKenna Gaddis, Mark Hart, Alex Trimble and John Veals. The coaches were Elizabeth Francis and Dawson Miller.

Players for the Cardinals were: Jenna Anderson, James Byers, Rebekah Galliher, Mallory Hamilton, Anjuli Heath, Glenda Huhtala, Dusty Lang, Paris Laycock, Greg Martino, Charles Rymer, Betty Stuart, Michael Torres and Tiffany Torres. The Cardinals head coach was Emily Hamilton assisted by Jeannine David and Teresa Haliski.

Players for the Reds were: Michael Cook, Dennis Dole Jr., Nathan Ellis, Russ Jones, Sam McIntyre, Levi Neil, Cory Robak, Robert Schmitz, Ivan Soltero, Sean Starr, Andrew Stekhuizen and Michael Vanoni. The Reds coaches were Bryan Cook, Katie Kaiser, Audrey Stekhuizen and Christopher Stekhuizen.

The Mariners players were: Alex Ables, Adam Barr, Jason Downey, Jordan Hicks, Andrew Hopper-Jester, Larry Joslin, Jacob Lattanzi, Josiah Malik-Bailey, Taylor Malik-Bailey, Marissa McCollum, Estevan Rosales, Scott Shivvers, Everett Smith, Eric Stage. The Mariners were coached by Jason Scott and Christina Lanham. the

Winning silver medals were the Cubs, the Huskies, the Pirates and the Royals.

The Cubs players were: Jacob Blunt, Bryson Brinkman, Jolene Brown, David Christensen, William Cuff, Craig Francis, Kay Heilbronner, Alyssa Kwak, Preston Manor, Lauren Milam, Michael Suire, Lauren Swartsell and Leslie Swartsell. JR Vela was the Cubs head coach, assisted by Scott Milam.

The Huskies players were: Maridian Bosner, Karen Carrico, Kenda Eaton, Becky Johnson, Ariel Laycock, Heidi Moss, Deanna Sanders, Cheron Skelton, Samantha Spencer, Sarah Trimble, Hannah Wampach, Jackie Winters and Bryanna Zychowicz. Coaches for the Huskies were Tonya Galliher, Shayla McIntyre and Jackie Trimble.

The Pirates players were: Cedric Armstrong, Dianna Bartusek, Jeremy Beer, Jennifer Benford, David Boedigheimer, Beth Descloux, Jeremy Descloux, Zacharius Descloux, Kristi Klingenmier, Phillip Klover, Peter Li, Mariawna Libby, Ashley Medlock, Tim Rogers, Isaac Shetler, Brandon Smith, Richard Whilen. Coaching the Pirates were Amanda Wilks Johnson, Leo Boedigheimer, Aaron Medlock, Andrea Medlock and Jeff Wilkes.

The Royals players were: Rachel Akins, Matt Baker, Nicole Banks, Jonathon Chidestor, Shawn Hassig, Kristen Jordan, Thomas Kukkola, Harlan Laycock, Nathanial Little, Raven Mars, Elizabeth McIntyre, Doug McPherson and Jason Sorenson. The Royals coaches were Brandi Zychowicz, Tiffeny Jordan and Jim Shoultz.

Krista Downey of the Rockies won a gold medal in individual softball skills. Sierra McIntyre earned a silver medal. David Balas and Karen Hilby each earned fourth place for their individual skills. Coaching the Rockies were Sylvia Downey and Chrissy Hilby.

In the Western Washington Special Olympics Golf Tournament held at Meadow Park Golf Course in Tacoma, Calvin Ertler won a silver medal and Michael Abe a bronze, both with significant score improvements. Jeremy Haliski took fourth place and Keegan Michael, the youngest golfer at age 8, took fifth place.

In Unified Teams golf, Jason Tevlin and partner Barry Gill won the gold medal and will compete in the state tournament this weekend at Everett. Larry Mathews and partner Tim Bishop won silver medals. James Carter and partner Colin Wilcox earned bronze.

Special Olympics is for athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities.

Next on the Clark County Special Olympics calendar is bowling. Athletes can sign up for that sport from 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 31 at Pied Piper Pizza, 12300 N.E. Fourth Plain Rd.