Special Olympics Vigo County athletes paraded proudly into the Hulman Center Friday night, high-fiving Indiana State University basketball players, members of the Spirit Squad, Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun , and other dignitaries.
Dason Crowley of the Vigo County Special Olympics team enjoys the sound of the band Frequency as he walks up the ramp to the Hulman Center for the Special Olympics Indiana opening ceremony on Friday.
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
They joined more than 2,000 athletes from across the state who enjoyed the excitement of the Indiana Summer Games opening ceremonies. This year marks the 55th annual Special Olympics Indiana event.
At one point, local athletes chanted “Vigo, Vigo, Vigo,” raising their fists.
Julie Henricks, master of ceremonies, described “all the hard work. All the dedication. All the sweat and all the sore muscles” athletes have worked over the past year to participate in the summer games.
“By challenging ourselves in these events, each of us feels truly inspired,” he told the athletes.
Hours before, the Vigo County delegation gathered on the north side of the Hulman Center waiting for their turn to be part of the Athletes’ Parade.
“Everyone is excited. This is the big celebration,” said Jodi Moan, executive director of Happiness Bag.
The county of Vigo is represented by 90 athletes and five unified members. Thirty volunteer coaches and chaperones support the effort.
Among those eagerly awaiting the parade and ceremony was Arika Flesher, who will be lifting weights this year. She has done track and field in the past.
He enjoys competition and decided to lift weights “to get stronger.”
Athlete Kyrie McGaha was also excited about this weekend’s ceremony and competition; she will participate in cycling.
The ceremony included a tribute to former Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine, a longtime Special Olympics Indiana supporter who died in April. His son, Jimmy, who died last November, participated in Special Olympics.
In memory of Erksine, each athlete and coach will receive a special medal from the 55th Summer Games this weekend.
The competition begins
“Good job, Nikee,” shouted volunteer coach Deana Wilson as Nikee Hudson and her brother, Doug, rode a tandem bike on the ISU Recreation East track during a qualifying event Friday afternoon.
Doug Hudson high-fives his sister, Nikee Hudson, after they completed their Special Olympics 1K qualifying time trial on Friday at Indiana State’s Recreation East Bike Track.
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
The Hudsons participate in a unified tandem competition and will compete in 2K and 5K cycling events on Saturday.
Nikee, 48, who has participated in Special Olympics since she was 12, represents Vigo County although the family lives in Greene County; Nikee goes to the Happiness Bag.
“It was great,” Nikee said after completing her qualifying time; She has participated in cycling for the past three years. “I love it.”
The brother and sister duo often travel in Shakamak State Park.
This is Doug’s second year traveling with Nikee, who previously traveled with her sister. “I was next in line,” she laughed.
Being part of Special Olympics “is fantastic,” he said. “Seeing kids and adults gives them something to look forward to. “I was very excited this morning.”
“We have great coaches, don’t we?” he told Nikee, and she replied, “Yes.”
His volunteer coaches for the Vigo County cycling meet are CJ Martin, his wife, Abby, and his mother, Deana Wilson.
CJ Martin has been involved for about five years. Before that, Vigo County did not have a cycling team and Al Perone founded one.
Martin had worked at Happiness Bag in college and had also participated in Trike and Tandem events at Indiana State University.
“Al knew he had experience with bikes and with the community,” Martin said. “So when he came up to me and asked if I would be a coach, I said yes.”
And he’s been involved ever since.
It’s very rewarding, said Martin, who works as an Indiana conservation officer. “My wife and I might be having a bad day, we come to practice and it’s a lot of fun with the athletes. “They always seem to be happy and in a good mood,” he said.
Being part of the Special Olympics Summer Games “brings tears to my eyes seeing them so happy and excited,” she said. Families show great pride in their loved ones.
Athletes “look forward to it,” Martin said. “Starting tomorrow, they are looking forward to being able to ride their bikes next year.”
Athletes practice for about eight to ten weeks in the spring, once the weather becomes warmer; They meet once a week.
Abbey Martin, who is in the Air National Guard, said her husband involved her in the training. “They are like our family now,” she said. “This is our favorite time of year. “I love doing it and I love meeting the athletes and their families.”
Robert Brown of the Vigo County Special Olympics team is greeted as he walks toward the Hulman Center before the start of the Special Olympics Indiana opening ceremonies on Friday.
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
Abbey likes to say, “Indiana State (University) is the happiest place in Indiana during Special Olympics weekend.”
Another athlete involved in cycling is Jane Wood, who has been in Special Olympics for 45 years. “It’s a good time,” she said. She is in her third year of cycling and rides a three-wheeled bicycle.
He looks forward to the summer games every year.
Her mother, Beverly Wood, said it has been amazing to see how her daughter has progressed and benefited socially from the Special Olympics.
“Year after year he sees so many friends that he hopes to see and he loves being with his coaches,” Beverly Wood said. Jane played bowls for many years, but more recently she decided to try cycling.
“I’m so happy to see that Jane and all her friends can do something special,” said Beverly Wood. “It’s nice to witness how much they’ve accomplished and how proud they are.”
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