RALEIGH — Nine athletes from Beaufort and Hyde County participated in the 2015 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games last month, competing against nearly 1,500 athletes from across the state in six sports.

To ensure fair competition, the athletes were placed in competition divisions based on age, gender and ability level. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each division, followed by fourth through eighth-place ribbons.

The Summer Games kicked off with the Opening Ceremonies at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek. N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper and Special Olympics NC athlete and Unified Relay Across America Southern Route Co-Captain Zach Commander of Elizabeth City spoke at the ceremony. One thousand volunteers, under the leadership of a volunteer Games Management Team, were recruited to serve as scorekeepers, timers and various other roles to make the Games a reality for the athletes.

“The 2015 SONC Summer Games were a tremendous success,” said Keith Fishburne, president and CEO of SONC. “Athletes from across the state competed in quality competition and made great memories. We are very grateful to all the volunteers who helped make this weekend a positive and memorable experience for all the athletes.”

 

MEDAL RECIPIENTS FROM BEAUFORT/HYDE

JASON E. ALLIGOOD

Aquatics/Swimming: 50-yard Backstroke — Gold

Aquatics/Swimming: 25-yard Freestyle — Gold

Aquatics/Swimming: 50-yard Freestyle — Silver

 

WILLIAM ANDREWS

Powerlifting: Benchpress — Silver

Powerlifting: Combination — Silver

Powerlifting: Deadlift — Silver

 

KELTON COLUMBUS

Powerlifting: Benchpress — Silver

Powerlifting: Combination — Silver

Powerlifting: Deadlift — Silver

 

RYAN LAWRENCE

Powerlifting: Benchpress — Gold

Powerlifting: Combination — Silver

Powerlifting: Deadlift — Silver

 

GREG SADLER

Powerlifting: Benchpress — Bronze

Powerlifting: Combination — Bronze

Powerlifting: Deadlift — Bronze

 

CASEY C. TAYLOR

Aquatics/Swimming: 25-yard Freestyle — Gold

Aquatics/Swimming: 25-yard Breaststroke — Silver

Aquatics/Swimming: 50-yard Freestyle — Silver

 

HEATHER VINROE

Aquatics/Swimming: 25-yard Flotation Race — Gold

 

KEENAN WHITE

Powerlifting: Deadlift — 4th Place

Powerlifting: Benchpress — Bronze

Powerlifting: Combination — Bronze

 

JONATHAN M. WILLIS

Aquatics/Swimming: 25-yard Flotation Race — Gold