Priest River athlete to represent Idaho at Special Olympics USA Games
(Photo by COLLEEN DICE) Priest River 27 year-old Cody Schryver, pictured right in black, will represent Idaho in three events at the upcoming USA Games in Seattle.
(Photo by MICHELLE SCHULTZ) Schryver, right, had a very special interaction in 2010 with Edward Barbanell, left, who starred in the 2005 movie The Ringer.
(Courtesy photo) Schryver gives mom Michelle Schultz a hug at the USA Games in Nebraska in 2010. Both are accomplishing amazing things.
Schryver set to
compete in Seattle starting on Sunday
By ERIC PLUMMER
Sports editor
PRIEST RIVER — Michelle Schultz’s voice cracked with emotion while answering a question about what it means to see her son Cody Schryver qualify for the upcoming 50th Special Olympics USA Games, which run from July 1-6 in Seattle.
For the past 20 years, the Priest River mom has coached her beloved Priest River Panthers team, which includes the 27 year-old Schryver. He suffered nerve and brain damage as a 2 year-old, but it hasn’t stopped him from achieving amazing things, the kinds of things that can choke a proud mother up.
“Considering the doctors told me he would only take up space in bed, he’s obviously doing a lot more than that,” says Schultz. “It’s exciting to see him go further than he’s ever gone. Even on the days he gives me grief, I thank God everyday that he can. They told me he would never do anything.”
Schryver recently won gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 50 at the Idaho State Games in Twin Falls. Starting Sunday in Seattle, he’ll compete in the 50 meters, softball throw and standing long jump. His PR in the 50 is 8.97, the result of a long and lithe stride, and he can launch the softball 98 feet. He’s one of only two athlete from North Idaho, the other hailing from Lewiston.
Idaho will be represented by 10 flag football players, four athletes in track and field, two in golf and one in swimming among the more than 3,000 athletes on hand. The Gem State team has tons of fun activities planned during their week-long stay at the University of Washington dorms, including attending a Mariners game against the Angels.
“An insane amount of stuff they’re doing,” claims Schultz, noting Cody was thrilled when he heard he was going. “He’s like ‘I get to go? Is anybody going with me?’ We’re absolutely thrilled he gets a chance to do this.”
Michelle will attend the Seattle Games with her husband Mark Schultz, thrilled that Cody is able to experience the special moment independently and unafraid.
While Michelle is clearly the driving force behind the Panthers, she has lot of help from the community. At one point the team had 22 volunteer coaches, many of them high school kids, and instead of shunning Schryver and people with different abilities, they have striven to include them.
The athletes are accepted in the community for who they are and for the abilities that they have. Special Olympics is clearly a family affair for the Schultz’s, as both kids and grandkids are now volunteers and coaches on the Panthers.
“Born and bred, die-hard Priest River Panthers. I don’t do this. I just point them in a direction. They’re the ones that do the work,” admits Schultz, noting the only time you’ll ever see her running is if being chased by an animal. “I don’t run, I just get them to move. It’s a lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoy these athletes.”
Schryver also attended the 2010 National Games in Nebraska, when a brutally tough moment was soothed by the kindest of gestures. After falling in a preliminary heat, Schryver was clearly distraught, and it caught the eye of perhaps the perfect person.
Edward Barbanell, who starred in a 2005 movie about Special Olympics called The Ringer, happened to be walking through the stadium at the time of Schryver’s fall. He felt compelled to offer some kind words, with his character having fallen in the movie in a clear case of life imitating art.
“Cody fell in the preliminaries and he was so angry. It was heartbreaking,” recalls Schultz, lauding the humanity of Barbanell. “He made it a point to come over and talk to Cody. By the time he was done talking, they were laughing and carrying on. That was really cool, he didn’t have to do that. It was just crazy, and something we won’t forget.”
Schryver has made countless friends and memories over the years, and is about to make some fresh new ones in Seattle. Schultz believes Special Olympics has an impact on so many individuals, calling it a “huge, huge positive force.”
Who knows, there could even be a World Games for Schryver somewhere down the line. Right now, Schultz is just focused on her son representing Idaho at the national level.
“I absolutely love to watch him run. He’s really excited. He has speed he doesn’t even know about,” says Schultz, ever thankful. “Even though he has seizures and gets grouchy, I’m still very blessed.”
The self-funded team raised $7,000 at this year’s Polar Plunge fundraiser, despite a sideways snow that was far too tame to stop a host of hearty supporters from taking a dip in the ice-cold river.
The Idaho Special Olympics is currently holding a car raffle, and out of every $10 ticket sold, the Panthers will get $7.50. To buy tickets, visit www.idso.org.
To make a donation to the Priest River Panthers, send a check (made out to IDSO) to P.O. Box 865, Priest River, ID, 83856.