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Athletes show off their talents at Special Olympics bowling competition

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Approximately 150 Special Olympics bowlers from across the Rio Grande Valley came together at Creasey’s Bowling in Harlingen this Monday, October 31, to kick off their bowling competition season.

HCISD’s Harlingen Stingrays were among the many teams to compete at the Area 1 Special Olympics Bowling Competition. The event also saw competitors, ages 8-15, from San Benito CISD, Raymondville ISD, Rio Hondo ISD, Lyford ISD, Mercedes CO-OP, and Educare Harlingen.

“All of our student-athletes did a tremendous job, and we are super proud of their performance,” said Special Olympics Head of Delegation Fred Cavazos. “A special thank you to all our Special Education Staff, Special Olympics Coaches and Special Education Administration who came out and helped at the event.”

At HCISD there are about 53 athletes that participate in Special Olympics, those of which are divided into different age groups from elementary through high school. In addition to bowling, students also have the opportunity to compete in basketball and track.

With the mantra, “Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt,” HCISD’s five Special Olympics coaches help students develop their skills so that they may compete at their best.

Cavazos states that he continues to be amazed by the students that he works with.

“They’re very bright individuals, and they always give you their best,” he said. “It’s very rewarding when you’re able to see a child go out there and compete. To see their progress after never having picked up a bowling ball or basketball or never before having run track is fulfilling.”

He continues that his students never let their limitations stand in their way. These students instead leave their disabilities in the dust.

“No matter what disability our students have, whatever limitations, we will work to help them become successful,” said Cavazos. “It’s about all empowering our students. That’s what we do; we lift students up.”

Next up for the team is the Area 1 bowling competition for students 16 and older to be held at Creasey’s Bowling in Harlingen on November 7.

Special Olympics Texas is a year-round movement, holding more than 300 competitions annually on area, regional and state levels. Event divisions are based on age, gender and ability level to give athletes an equal chance to win.

Click here for more photos of the event.

Results from the October 31 competition are as follows:

Long Elementary
1st Place Nolan Garcia
3rd Place Nate Medlin

Means Elementary
1st Place Benjamin Pinon

Treasure Hills Elementary
2nd place Destiny Arevelo

Milam Elementary
2nd Place Daniella Hernandez

Wilson Elementary
2nd Place Marcus Zamarano
3rd Place Irving Cordova

Coakley Middle School
3rd Place William Tovias
4th Place Logan Diaz

Memorial Middle School
1st Place Jesus Carreon
2nd Place Tyler Rivera

Gutierrez Middle School
2nd Place Ethan Cordova

Vernon Middle School
3rd Place Brandon Hernandez
3rd Place Lovell Gonzales
5th Place Eddie Perez

Vela Middle School
1st Place Elijah Rodriguez
1st Place Loren Cordero
4th Place Damon Davis

Harlingen High School South
1st Place Christian Suarez
2nd Place Danielle Green

Harlingen High School
1st Place Britney Calderas
5th Place Kyle Olivarez

 

 

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