Delaney had little experience snowshoeing before she competed in the provincial Special Olympics last month, but now she’s in love with the thrill of the sport.
The 18-year-old Liverpool native attends Verge House in Bridgewater for her schooling. Delaney has a severe form of epilepsy that has delayed her development.
Growing up, Delaney had never been very interested in sports. That all changed when she strapped on her snowshoes for the first time.
“It was October, maybe, my first time,” she says. “It was fun.”
A friend of Delaney’s was competing in the winter games for Special Olympics and she wanted to join in the fun.
Delaney had only snowshoed in the snow a couple of times before competing at the winter games. She spends most of her time practicing at an indoor track in Bridgewater.
“They only got outside three times before the Olympics,” says Susan Inglis, Delaney’s mother.
After enjoying her first few times in snowshoes, she started to train with Special Olympics coaches Cody Latta and Betty Ann Daury.
“Betty Ann is nice,” says Delaney.
Friendly competition
The Nova Scotia Special Olympics were held in Kentville in February. One of Delaney’s favourite parts about competing was getting to go away for the weekend and be a part of a team.
“It was fun meeting new friends,” she says.
Another aspect Delaney enjoyed was cheering on her friends and hearing the crowd cheer her on.
“I felt happy and proud,” says Delaney.
Inglis, who also attended the event, says that she loved watching her daughter make new friends at the friendly competition.
“The best thing about the Special Olympics… is that they’re not at all concerned about what they’re doing, they get really excited for their friends,” says Inglis. “They all just become friends over the weekend from all over the province.”
Delaney competed in four races. She won a gold medal in a relay race, a silver in the 200 metre, a bronze in the 100 metre and a bronze in the 400 metre.
The relay was Delaney’s favourite.
“It was fun just to go out there and try our best,” said Delaney.
After her success with snowshoeing, Delaney has opened her eyes to other sports.
“I’m going to try track and field in the spring,” she says, adding that she’s dreaming of the chance to attend nationals in the future if she gets the opportunity.
There is a chance that Delaney may get chosen to compete at the Canada-wide winter Special Olympics in Corner Brook, Newfoundland next year after her strong performance in showshoeing at provincials, but has yet to hear if she’s been selected for nationals.
Delaney had little experience snowshoeing before she competed in the provincial Special Olympics last month, but now she’s in love with the thrill of the sport.
The 18-year-old Liverpool native attends Verge House in Bridgewater for her schooling. Delaney has a severe form of epilepsy that has delayed her development.
Growing up, Delaney had never been very interested in sports. That all changed when she strapped on her snowshoes for the first time.
“It was October, maybe, my first time,” she says. “It was fun.”
A friend of Delaney’s was competing in the winter games for Special Olympics and she wanted to join in the fun.
Delaney had only snowshoed in the snow a couple of times before competing at the winter games. She spends most of her time practicing at an indoor track in Bridgewater.
“They only got outside three times before the Olympics,” says Susan Inglis, Delaney’s mother.
After enjoying her first few times in snowshoes, she started to train with Special Olympics coaches Cody Latta and Betty Ann Daury.
“Betty Ann is nice,” says Delaney.
Friendly competition
The Nova Scotia Special Olympics were held in Kentville in February. One of Delaney’s favourite parts about competing was getting to go away for the weekend and be a part of a team.
“It was fun meeting new friends,” she says.
Another aspect Delaney enjoyed was cheering on her friends and hearing the crowd cheer her on.
“I felt happy and proud,” says Delaney.
Inglis, who also attended the event, says that she loved watching her daughter make new friends at the friendly competition.
“The best thing about the Special Olympics… is that they’re not at all concerned about what they’re doing, they get really excited for their friends,” says Inglis. “They all just become friends over the weekend from all over the province.”
Delaney competed in four races. She won a gold medal in a relay race, a silver in the 200 metre, a bronze in the 100 metre and a bronze in the 400 metre.
The relay was Delaney’s favourite.
“It was fun just to go out there and try our best,” said Delaney.
After her success with snowshoeing, Delaney has opened her eyes to other sports.
“I’m going to try track and field in the spring,” she says, adding that she’s dreaming of the chance to attend nationals in the future if she gets the opportunity.
There is a chance that Delaney may get chosen to compete at the Canada-wide winter Special Olympics in Corner Brook, Newfoundland next year after her strong performance in showshoeing at provincials, but has yet to hear if she’s been selected for nationals.
