INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Close to 700 participants gathered at the North County Aquatics Center for the Florida Special Olympics 2013 State Aquatics Championships Oct. 5-6, hosted by the Indian River County Recreation Department and the Treasure Coast Sports Commission.
The 125 coaches, 100 volunteers, 100 family members and 25 delegates provided support for the 350 swimmers – representing teams from 32 counties across the state. It was the eighth year the state event has been held at the facility, with its 50-meter Olympic pool, where as many as 24 lanes can be used simultaneously.
To compete at this level, explained Steve Bennett, Vice-President, Sports Training and Competition for Special Olympics Florida, the swimmers must first qualify at county level, then at the area games in August, which also take place at the North County facility. The athletes must be at least 8 years old, but there is no top end limit.
The son of a Special Ed teacher mother and a preacher father, Bennett has been working with special needs programs since volunteering in his mom’s high school class. He says once people are exposed to the Special Olympics and have an opportunity to interact with the athletes, they begin to see that “they are like anyone else. They have different abilities, NOT disabilities. People think these are just fun events but these are serious collegiate swimmers.”
The people who volunteer with Special Olympics share a unique depth of dedication and passion. Bennett speaks of the “love, support and professionalism of all the local people” in organizing and conducting this annual event.
After each event, as the three medalists beamed proudly from the winners’ stands, volunteer announcer Tom Burger called out each name with as much enthusiasm as any Olympic commentator.
Sebastian River High School teacher Rick Apple’s Culinary Arts Class prepared both lunch and dinner for all 700 swimmers, coaches and volunteers on Saturday. The Italian American Club joined with the Indian River County Special Olympics volunteers to prepare lunch on Sunday.
“We’ve been doing this for a number of years,” said Italian American member Jim Wood. A special award was presented to Wood’s wife’s cousin, Ray Wathen, as The Volunteer Who Had Travelled the Farthest. Wathen, the uncle of a special needs child, travels from Nottingham, England, every year just to help at this event.
Special Olympics volunteer Theresa Stewart praised the Club. “They’re awesome! We can always call on them,” she said.
With Stewart was her 9-year-old grandson, Thomas Stewart, who also has medals for his Special Olympics volunteering.
Among the volunteers were 32 members of the Indian River State College Swim team, who helped with staging, timing and shouting encouragement. Second-year student Alec Scott said IRSC Athletic Director Scott Kimmelman “is very big on us giving back to the community.”
“I wish I’d started doing this sooner,” the swimming scholarship student from Colorado said. “I volunteered in the past but this is more exciting.”
Marcy Bobell was the only athlete representing Indian River County in the second day of the competition, swimming in the 100-meter individual medley. She had taken a gold the previous day in the 15-meter breaststroke event. Marcy shared a high five with Indian River County coach Howard Dunphrey as she waited for her event to be called.
Her mother, Deborah Bobell, said Marcy has been swimming since she was a little girl, and has been competing in Special Olympics for 27 years. Although the family has only been in Indian River County since March, having moved from Illinois, Marcy already has a feeling of belonging and has made new friends who are also in Special Olympics.
It is, Bobell said, “a total learning experience. Marcy has learned life lessons and responsibility since Day 1. She is not shy, she has confidence. She doesn’t know a stranger. There is a sense of belonging there might not be without Special Olympics. As parents, we see our loved ones experiencing the life they deserve.”
Aquatic Center Recreation Leader Lynne Gagnon is moved by the determination of the swimmers and mentioned 24-year-old Amber Fallo, who took a gold in the 50-meter freestyle and a silver in the 50-meter breaststroke on Saturday.
“She was also the Torch Carrier. Watching them, it is very touching,” she said while brushing away tears. “They put all their heart into it. They are the stars.”