Clark County Special Olympians bring back ski, hoop medals

Five basketball teams and 11 skiers and snowboarders from Southwest Washington won medals during the Special Olympics of Washington Winter Games, which took place March 1-3 in Wenatchee and Levenworth.

The Clark County Sno Phantoms had 10 skiers win medals and one snowboarder medalist during the competition at Mission Ridge Ski Area. The team’s head coaches were Nick Dever and Michelle Dever.

Skiers who earned medals were Nicole Banks (silver and bronze), Natasha Dever (gold, silver and bronze), Ryan Fielding (bronze), Talon GeBorde (three silver medals), Joshua Kubin (silver), Larry Mathews (bronze), Jonathon Schauer (gold and silver), Angelina Schubothe (two gold medals and one silver medal), James Sudbeck (gold and silver), Jason Tevlin (two gold medals).

Sno Phantoms snowboarder Jake Kubin won two golds medals.

The Sno Phantoms are looking for athletes and volunteer coaches for the 2013-14 season. The Sno Phantoms ride a bus to Mount Hood for six Sunday training sessions during January and February in preparation for the state competition. Athletes must have at least novice skiing or snowboarding skill. Coaches must have at least intermediate skill.

To learn more about the skiing and snowboarding program, contact Nick Dever at 360-571-0237 or by e-mail at kubin@mediate.com.

Two of the basketball teams from Clark County won gold medals. Wild Things won gold in the Juniors 1-2 division, and the Falcons Skills 3 Team also claimed gold.

The Wild Things coaches were JR Vela and Braeden Manor. Their players were Meridian Bonser, Justin Dalton, Mariah Davis, Cole Gaddis, McKenna Gaddis, Carter Giles, Josiah Malik-Byers, Taylor Malik-Byers, Preston Manor, Kat Sanders and Schuyler Zychowicz.

Coaches for the Falcons Skills 3 team were Emily Hamilton and Melinda Malik. Their players were Jazmine Bussard, Evan Cole, Jordan Fallon, Kristopher Gatlin, Mallory Hamilton, Amaris Koutsles, Michael Koutsles, Charlie Malik-Byers, Elijah Malik-Byers. Alexis McCorvey and Sarah Trimble.

The Wizards team won silver medals in the Masters 1 basketball tournament. The Wizards coaches were Audrey Stekhuizen and Christopher Stekhuizen. Their players were Michael Bronson, Michael Cook, Nathan Ellis, Santos Lopez, Levi Neil, Luke Smith, Ivan Soltero and Andrew Stekhuizen.

The Bulldogs Masters 4 team won bronze medals. Their coaches were Jon Wimber and Brian Zylstra. Their players were Adam Barr, Jason Downey, Russ Jones, Peter Li, Sam McIntyre, David Meliza, Scott Shivvers, Eric Stage, Michael Vanoni and Ally Warner.

The Trailblazers Masters 6 team won bronze medals. Their coaches were Scott Milam, Tayloy Guzman and Nick Barclay. Their players were Westley Altig, Karen Carrico, Joseph Dawson, Casey Ellison, Conner Finerty, Craig Francis, Mark Hart, Alyssa Kwak, Lauren Miliam, Michael Suire, John Veals and Richard Whilen.

Spring Special Olympics programs are organizing. The spring sports are swimming, track & field), cycling, power lifting and soccer. To learn about how to get involved in Special Olympics as an athlete (individuals with intellectual disabilities), Unified Partner (individuals without intellectual disabilities), coach or volunteer, contact Rick Cook by sending email to ccsowa@live.com.