Shelburne County Special Olympians bring home hardware

Special Olympics Shelburne County had a terrific weekend at the Nova Scotia Provincial Summer Games in Halifax on June 13 to 15.

Shelburne County was represented by 21 athletes in bowling, athletics, and masters competitions, collecting 19 gold, eight silver, and eight bronze Medals.

Opening Ceremonies took place at the Tower, St. Mary’s University, where the Shelburne Team paraded in with 750 other Special Olympians from across the province. Wilma Hopkins was a part of the Torch Relay that opened the Games after the Premier and several other dignitaries wished the athletes well.

Athletics took place at St. Mary’s Stadium, with competition beginning on Friday evening in shot put and running long jump. Gary Hemeon, Emily Pohl, and Dale Roache all won gold in their respective shot put competitions. Dale Roache and Emily Pohl also won gold in the running long jump.

Athletics competition continued on Saturday. Martin Fudge captured gold in the standing long jump. Emily Pohl and Dale Stewart both won gold medals in the 50 m sprint, with Gill Harris finishing 4th.

In the 100 m David Wile won bronze, Martin Fudge won silver, and Dale Roache won gold. In the 200 m Martin Fudge won bronze, Evan Crowell and Dale Roache took silver, with Dale Stewart and David Wile both captured gold medals. David Wile also ran the 400 m on Sunday, and won a silver medal.

Bowling took place on Saturday with Dale Nickerson winning bronze, and Wilma Hopkins and Anna Crites both winning gold medals. Devere Ilse, Harold Doane, Andrew Hicks, and Joe Surette also bowled well.

Masters competition also took place at St. Mary’s Stadium. On Saturday Elmer Foote won bronze in horseshoes. Capturing gold medals in horseshoes were Patsy Atkinson, Tobi Krafve, Ashley Smith, and Wendy Stoddard. In bocce Elmer Foote and Patsy Atkinson won bronze, Tobi Krafve and Ashley Stoddard won silver, and Wendy Stoddard won gold. Masters finished with a 400 m walk race on Sunday. Dottie O’Connell and Ashley Smith won bronze, Tobi Krafve and Elmer Foote won silver, and Patsy Atkinson won a gold medal.

The team stayed and ate at St. Mary’s University, attended a “Pirates of the Carribean” Dance on Saturday night, and traveled home on Sunday afternoon.