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No challenge too great
Special Olympics athletes go for the gold
ABOVE: Nathaniel Ohle and Valinda David
found some time away from the action of the Gallup Special olympics
for "just playing around" according to Ohle. This year
is Ohle's fourth year participating in the event and David's second.
Ohle said that the best part of the event is "supporting the
athletes." BELOW:Gallup Police Officer Jeff Barnhurst
pins a first place ribbon on Perry Jim while handing out awards
for the relay event of the Gallup Special Olympics at Public School
Stadium. [photos by Daniel Zollinger
/ Independent]
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Special Olympics winners
10m assisted walk
- Division 1
Kenneth Dixon, Zuni
Tennis Ball Throw
- Division 1
Krystal Largo, Gallup
- Division 2
Joan Francisco, Zuni
- Division 3
David Johnson, Zuni
- Division 4
Donald Pinto, Zuni
Standing Long Jump
- Division 1
Maria Johnson, Gallup
- Division 2
Jovanna Slinkey, Gallup
- Division 3
Brandon Slinkey, Gallup
- Division 4
Leonard Garcia, Gallup
Softball Throw –
Skills
- Division 1
Carmella Shack, Zuni
- Division 2
Melvin Maria, Zuni
- Division 3
Joseph Gaddy, Gallup
Softball Throw
- Division 1 male
Cameron Cheromiah, Gallup
- Division 1 female
Alicia Barraza, Gallup
- Division 2 male
Phillip Hunt, Gallup
- Division 2 female
Tiffany Sells, Gallup
- Division 3 male
Jose Lozano, Gallup
- Division 3 female
Danielle Begay, Gallup
- Division 4 male
Nigel Martin, Gallup
- Division 4 female
Valinda David, Gallup
- Division 5 male
Nathaniel Ohle, Gallup
- Division 5 female
Natasha Dessain, Gallup
- Division 6 male
Randell Sardo, Gallup
- Division 6 female
Tiffany Spencer, Zuni
Shotput – women
- Division 1
Dyanna Coho, Gallup
Shotput – men
- Division 1
Merle White, Coyote Canyon
- Division 2
Jacob Cobb, Gallup
- Division 3
Christopher Begay, Gallup
- Division 4
Adrian Francisco, Gallup
- Division 5
Samuel Francis, Coyote Canyon
Long Jump
- Division 1
Allen Leal, Gallup
4x100 Relay
- Division 1
Gallup Team #1
- Division 2
Coyote Canyon Team #2
- Division 3
Gallup Team # 4
50 meter wheelchair
- Division 1
Valinda David, Gallup
400 meter walk
- Division 1
Cecelia Benally, Tohatchi
200 meter run
- Division 1
Mercury Baker, Gallup
- Division 2
Allen Leal, Gallup
100 meter walk
- Division 1
Samuel Francis, Coyote Canyon
- Division 2
Thamer Largo, Tohatchi
100 m run
- Division 1
Maria Johnson, Gallup
- Division 2
Shelby Peterson, Gallup
- Division 3
Natasha Dessain, Gallup
- Division 4
Jennifer Hoskie, Tohatchi
- Division 5
Oliver Silversmith, Gallup
- Division 6
Mercury Baker, Gallup
- Division 7
Brandon Slinkey, Gallup
- Division 8
Bryceson Yazzie, Gallup
- Division 9
Alton Yazzie, Gallup
- Division 10
Christopher Begay, Gallup
- Division 11
Seandell Loley, Gallup
- Division 12
Alvin Begay, Coyote Canyon
- Division 14
Leonard Garcia, Gallup
- Division 15
Allison Miller, Tohatchi
50 m walk
- Division 1
Elwanda Cook, Tohatchi
- Division 2
Lucinda Benally, Tohatchi
- Division 3
Kristina Williams, Coyote Canyon
- Division 4
Samuel Francis, Coyote Canyon
50 m run
- Division 1
Monique Haudley, Gallup
- Division 2
Alicia Barraza, Gallup
- Division 3
Danielle Begay, Gallup
- Division 4
Jessica Burt, Zuni
- Division 5
Tiffany Lewis, Tohatchi
- Division 6
Thamer Largo, Tohatchi
- Division 7
Cameron Cheromiah, Gallup
- Division 8
Jacob Cobb, Gallup
- Division 10
Alvin Begay, Coyote Canyon
- Division 11
Shawn Parker, Coyote Canyon
- Division 12
Adrian DuBois, Coyote Canyon
- Division 13
Loren Manybeads, Coyote Canyon
- Division 14
Michael Garcia, Gallup
- Division 15
Freddie Lapahie, Tohatchi
50 m motorized wheelchair
slalom
- Division 1
Arlo Benally, Tohatchi
- Division 2
Vernon Pino, Gallup
50 m assisted walk
- Division 1
Krystal Largo, Gallup
- Division 2
Lystra John, Gallup
- Division 3
Erleen Thomas, Coyote Canyon
- Division 4
Sean Christopher Casey, Gallup
- Division 5
James Rafeal, Coyote Canyon
25 m wheelchair race
- Division 1
Joanie Keetso, Zuni
- Division 2
Harry James, Zuni
25 m walk
- Division 1
Viola Hovel, Coyote Canyon
- Division 2
Kristina Williams, Coyote Canyon
- Division 3
Lucinda Benally, Tohatchi
- Division 4
Myron Spencer, Tohatchi
Final round 25 m race
- Division 1
Jessica Burt, Zuni
- Division 3
Shawn Owens, Coyote Canyon
25 m motorized wheelchair
obstacle
- Division 1
Erwin Tsabetsaye, Zuni
Final round 25 m assisted
walk
- Division 1
Erleen Thomas, Coyote Canyon
- Division 2
Joseph Gaddy, Gallup
- Division 3
Samuel Edison, Zuni
- Division 4
Rolando “Leo” Sandoval, Zuni
4x100 unified relay
- Division 1
Coyote Canyon Unified Team #1
Cycling 1k time trial
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By Karen Francis
Staff writer
GALLUP — Even with the windy weather Saturday, more than 100
dedicated athletes came out to participate in the Special Olympics
Area 6 track and field meet at Gallup McKinley County School stadium.
Parents and supporters cheered on the special athletes as they
took to the field with various activities. The day’s activities
began with opening ceremonies, including a parade of athletes and
the athlete oath taken in English, Navajo, Spanish and Zuni. Area
6 includes McKinley and Cibola Counties.
The 2008 Athlete of the Year and runner-up were named during the
morning ceremony.
Nathan Begay, from Gallup, has been participating in Special Olympics
since he was in grade school but this was the first time he won
the title of Athlete of the Year.
He said he likes sports, especially golf, volleyball and bowling.
His mother, Alice Towne, said she was glad that he won because
he participates in many sports, such as swimming and track.
“He’s pretty much an all-around athlete,” she said.
Begay’s family came out to support him. Towne said he has
a younger brother who really challenges him. Begay participated
in a relay, 100 meter and shot put competition.
Doc VanAllsburg said Begay is very faithful at attending practices
and meetings.
“Nathan is a year-round athlete who has a great competitive
spirit. He always shows great sportsmanship,” he said.
Antoine Thompson also praised Begay. “Nathan displays leadership
through his actions,” he said. “He is an extremely hard
worker and carries himself with dignity and respect. He assists
and encourages his teammates to always do their best.”
Adrian DuBois from Coyote Canyon was the runner-up Athlete of the
Year for Area 6.
“I was happy. I had a big smile on my face,” he said.
He participates in track, bowling, softball and golf.
During Saturday’s competition, he competed in the 150-meter
relay and the shot put.
About participating in the Special Olympics, DuBois said, “I
love to. It’s my sport.”
He added that he trained by walking laps around the stadium where
the competition was being held.
He said his favorite activity is bowling “because I bowl a
high score.”
In a statement, Tim Kline and Yvette Sandoval said that DuBois
attends all practices and works, trains and competes with anyone
on a friendly basis.
“Adrian ’s enthusiasm for competition embodies the true
spirit of Special Olympics,” they stated. “
Adrian is proud of the medals he earns and will share the experience
with people he meets in his public encounters. Adrian always encourages
his teammates to do their best.”
Mary Hood brought a dozen athletes from Tohatchi to participate.
“We’ve been doing good. Practice has been paying off,”
she said as she watched some races Saturday morning. She added that
the athletes practice every week.
“They love it. Every year we’re here,” she said.
“Right now we’re training our athletes for track and
field,” said the Area 6 director Janie Lee Hall. For some of
the events, she added, the Special Olympics athletes and non-Special
Olympics athletes play on the same team.
“Basically our mission is to provide year round sports training
and competition so they can develop their athletic skills but also
their social skills and develop friendships and opportunities to
connect with the community,” she said.
She added it’s an opportunity to share their skills and unique
gifts with their families.
Hall said she was “thrilled” with the turnout on Saturday.
More than 50 people came out to volunteer for the event, including
the Gallup police.
One officer helped to pin on ribbons for the winners after the
competitions were held.
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Wednesday
April 23, 2008
Selected
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