Locals bring home Special Olympics gold

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — Athletes from Special Olympics Gallup brought home a number of medals from the 4 Corners Invitational, a statewide competition held Aug. 15-16 in Farmington.

About 1,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and family members gathered in Farmington for competition in aquatics, golf, and unified softball. Gallup’s Area 6 participants included longtime Special Olympian Nathan Begay, who is the 2008 Athlete of the Year for New Mexico, and newcomer Sandip Patel, who earned three gold medals in his first state event. Local head coaches included Judy John, aquatics; Sabrina Ezzell, golf; and Ted Saucedo, unified softball.

According to Janie Lee Hall, the local Area 6 director, Special Olympics athletes and their coaches are now preparing for their fall sports of bowling and basketball. Bowling practice is currently being held on Saturday afternoons, and basketball practice will be on Friday evenings beginning in late September. Interested athletes can only participate in one fall sport. Volunteers from the community are always welcome to assist with the local sports programs.

Hall provided the following results from the 4 Corners Invitational.

Information: Janie Lee Hall at (505) 870-8707 or janielee16@msn.com