We’re beaming with pride and overflowing with kudos for our Special Olympic gymnasts, who recently went all the way to the Tri-Cities to compete in the Special Olympics Washington Fall Games!
The Fall Games included 800 athletes from across the state competing in Flag Football, Volleyball, Bowling and Gymnastics. Mid-Columbia Gymnastics Academy in Richland was the host for all the gymnastics events, with 30 athletes from six teams; 13 of them from SGA!
Coach Elaine and Coach Rachel traveled with their athletes and are so proud of their hard work, sportsmanship and performance at the Fall Games. “This year we had more polish, and we put more personal flare into our routines,” said Coach Elaine. “We had better memorization and solid skills. The gymnasts had to learn new routines on a shorter timeframe, and they not only overcame this challenge, but they even worked on skills from the next level up! Most completed level 2 on bars (includes skills on both the low & high uneven bars). It was also our first year having level 3 athletes!”
Gymnasts are grouped by age and by level, and compete on all four events. Our team showed everyone what it means to be #SGAstrong, and we are in awe of the results they achieved. To say we are proud of these ladies is an understatement, but the results below speak for themselves!
Women’s Level 1 | ages 8-15:
1: Kate Vecchiet
2: Frannie Ronan
3: Kate Winfield
4: Emma Chudzik
5: Alena Angelos
6: Meghan Kong
7: Saydee Horton
Women’s Level 1 | ages 16-21:
1: Raechel Benson
2: Roshini Narayanan
4: Lillie Casselman
6: Nora Adams
Women’s Level 3 | ages 12+
1: Allison Marie Hadley
2: Mia Esther Crump
More than the outcome of the scores, Coach Elaine notes the amazing camaraderie, sportsmanship and perseverance of the team at the games. “They all take it very seriously, and they are so supportive of each other,” she says. “Alena and Meghan were a bit nervous to compete, but their teammates were so supportive and cheered them on, and they were able to compete and did fantastic! Kate W. made up her own floor routine in the moment, instead of completing the compulsory routine required and therefore unfortunately did not receive a score. But she got another opportunity to do her compulsory routine, which she did, and she got first place! We were so proud of her spunk and willingness to do it again.”
At SGA, our goal is to provide everyone with the opportunity to learn and compete in gymnastics, and experience the value it provides. “These athletes are held to the same standard as everyone else. They can do so much more than they are given credit for, they push themselves and try new things, and that’s what it’s all about,” says Coach Elaine. “To me, the Special Olympics is not just about learning a sport, it’s about the friends they make, and the feeling of being successful and supported. Our team has gained so much confidence and strength, they put in so much effort and work to accomplish what would be considered small things for someone else. They have the positivity and willingness to keep trying – sometimes it’s hard and challenging, but they see that they can do it and they work for it, and the smiles when they achieve it is the best thing in the world!”
Congratulations to the whole team on a great year, and to Raechel Benson and Mia Crump who are also competing on their high school teams! You make us so proud and remind us all what it means to be #SGAstrong!