Photos provided by Kim Hammond
Four athletes from Simcoe are heading west to represent their community on the national stage.
The Simcoe Special Olympics athletes are travelling to Medicine Hat, Alberta, for the Special Olympics Canada National Games, running August 9 to 16.
Jason Gordy will compete in 10-pin bowling and brings plenty of experience to the Games. Gordy has competed at several major events and is a world gold medallist in 10-pin bowling.
For swimmers Kara Hoskins, Kaitlyn Ferguson and Rosie Hewitt, the trip will mark their first National Games.
Hoskins will compete in the 400-metre freestyle, 200-metre freestyle, 100-metre individual medley and 25-metre butterfly.
Ferguson will race in the 200- and 100-metre backstroke, along with the 25- and 50-metre breaststroke.
Hewitt will compete in three backstroke distances: 200, 100 and 50 metres, as well as the 50-metre breaststroke.
The four athletes will be joined by Simcoe coaches Jeremy Renton and Kim Hammond.
The National Games are part of the Special Olympics’ four-year competition cycle. Athletes begin by competing through local programs before having opportunities to advance through provincial and national competition.
Strong performances at the national level can ultimately lead to an opportunity to represent Canada at the Special Olympics World Games.
But before the competition begins, Gordy, Hoskins, Ferguson and Hewitt are already giving Simcoe plenty to be proud of. The four athletes head to Alberta knowing their hometown community is standing behind them and cheering them on as they compete on the national stage.
Written by Jeremy Hall
