By Alex Forrest
Review Intern
The Lake Orion High School Special Olympics team returned to Traverse City for the State of Michigan winter games this year.
The event took place Feb. 3-Feb. 6 and was the sixth time that Lake Orion has participated in this event.
The events begin the second day when the snow-shoeing time trials are held for each event.
The heat you compete in for the remainder of the competition is based on how well your time was on the second day.
The athletes competed against kids from other teams who had similar times as them.
The opening day of the snow-shoe competition was the fourth day. The five events the LO team competed in were the 50, 75, 100, 200 and 400 meter races.
Every person on the team recieved atleast one bronze, silver or gold medal.
Competing for the boys David Clemmer took home a silver and bronze. Zachary Brubaker raced for gold and silver medals while Matt Macdonald took home a gold. Recieving silver and gold medals was Adam Sajniak.
For the girls Kate Appledorn and Caitlin Hubbard each recieved silver and bronze medals in their events while Emily Absher took home gold and bronze.
Sarah Johnson took home a gold medal and an honorable mention fourth place ribbon.
Much like the regular Olympics the winning athletes had the opportunity to stand on a three level podium based on the place they recieved.
‘I really enjoy the excitement to see how happy all of the kids are for themselves and their teammates,? said proud parent Karen Appledorn. ‘To watch them stand up there smiling to get their medals is just great.?
‘The Dragons showed great sportsmanship,? said coach Lynn Dahl.
Apart from the actual competition, different events take place throughout the week.
The Wertz Warriors snow-mobiling club makes a snow-mobiling trip straight across the state.
Along their way they stop at local restaurants and raise money to donate to the Special Olympics program.
Every year the club makes it to Traverse City just in time to give the kids free snow-mobile rides on opening night.
This year the Warriors donated over $250,000.
There were free dog sled rides offered to the athletes as well. Other events included a dance on the second night which the kids really enjoyed.
‘Everyone had a good time and it was a great experience in Traverse City apart from the extreme cold,? said Gary Absher, Emily’s father.
‘I think they truly learn team spirit and comraderie,? added Appledorn. ‘They take great social skills away from the entire event and they become so unified. They even make friends with the students from other schools.?
This Thursday the Special Olympics basketball team will host a game in the high school fieldhouse.
The game begins at 10:15 a.m. and the entire student body will attend.
‘It is a great opportunity to see the school population getting behind the Special Olympics athletes to cheer them on,? said Marcine Glowicki.
The game is also open to the public so any fans of the team may attend.
‘I would like to thank the people who put the time into Special Olympics,? added Absher. ‘Without the teachers and coaches this wouldn’t be possible.?