Craig Daily Press / Special Olympics take center stage

Archive for Monday, May 15, 2000

May 15, 2000

Brothers J.D. and Josh Dalton have been running, walking and swimming for the last two months to get into shape for the Western Slope Special Olympics.

On Saturday at the high school track and pool, the Daltons were among 89 athletes from Craig, Steamboat Springs, Delta and Glenwood Springs who participated in running, field and swimming events.

J.D., who has been competing in Special Olympics the last four years, competed in the long jump event, the shot put and the fast walk.

"It is a lot of fun competing in Special Olympics," said J.D., 15. "I like the shot put event the best because that is the one that I am the best at. On Saturday, I earned a first place in the shot put and the fast walk. I took second in the long jump."

Josh competed in the 25-meter freestyle and the 50-meter freestyle swims.

"The Olympics on Saturday were fun," said Josh, 13. "I got first and second in them. I like the competition, because it was a challenge for me."

According to local volunteer Betty Rice, who has been involved in Special Olympics for 20 years, said Craig had 23 athletes participating in the one-day meet.

"It was a wonderful meet and all the local athletes did well at the meet," said Rice. "They are very good sports. They cheered everybody else on when they were not competing.

"This year the turnout was lower than normal because more cities are getting involved by hosting their own Special Olympics," said Rice.