Local Special Olympics athletes shine in Lewiston
(Photo courtesy CHRIS PAINTER) Sandpoint student Campbell Wyman flexes his muscles after winning both the 100 meter backstroke(in a 1:49.03, and the 50 meter freestyle with a time of 40.92. Both marks were new personal bests.
(Photo courtesy of CHRIS PAINTER) From left to right, the Sandpoint Special Olympics team of Bob Liechtman, Roy Burrow, Tammy Shivel, Michelle Couldry, Caitlyn Bayles, Thomas Dorenkamp, John Painter, Eliyah Allen, Chris Painter, Kevin Collins, Val Olson, Hayley Thompson and Missy Laker pose with their ribbons after competing in Lewiston on May 4.
(Photo courtesy of CHRIS PAINTER) Sandpoint High School senior Eliyah Allen smiles after finishing his races on May 4.
Sandpoint Special Olympics athletes set new PRs and took home medals after competing in Lewiston on May 4.
Picking out one standout from the swim team would be difficult, as several Sandpoint athletes won multiple events. All told, Sandpoint athletes took home 11 gold medals.
Current Sandpoint High School senior Eliyah Allen placed first in both the 15 meter unassisted swim and the 25 meter flotation, Beverly Hudson and Mallory Gilchrist swept the freestyle races by winning both the 25 and the 50 meter races in their respective divisions. Kevin Collins and Eli Jennings shone in the sprints; the former placed first in the 15 meter unassisted swim and third in the 25 meter freestyle, while the latter placed second in the 15 meter unassisted swim and a fourth in the 25 meter freestyle. Missy Laker with a first in the 50 meter freestyle and a second in the 50 meter backstroke, Bob Liechtman placed first in the 15 meter assisted swim, and Campbell Wyman won both the 100 meter breaststroke and the 50 meter freestyle.
Over on the track, Michele Couldry took first place in the women’s softball throw and third place in the 100 meter race-walk; John Painter placed third place in the softball throw and second place in the men’s 100 meter race-walk; Roy Burrow was first place in his division of the softball throw and second place in the 100 meter dash; Thomas Dorenkamp was first in men’s the softball throw and first in the 100 meter dash; and Hayley Thompson was first in the running long jump and first in the 100 meter dash. In the wheelchair events, Caitlin Bayles took first in the 100 and the 25 meters, while Chelsea Dennis won the 400 meters and placed second in the 30 meter slalom. Lastly, swimmer Bob Leichtman showed his-versatility by also placing second in the 15 meter walk.
The team will head to the Idaho state games on June 1. In order to raise funds for the travel costs, the team will be selling raffle tickets for a Toyota Rav4 in front of Super One on May 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.