DAVIS – Special Olympians from West Virginia and Virginia gathered at Canaan Valley Resort for their Winter Games, and participants from Tucker and Randolph counties worked hard to bring home the gold and silver. Five participants – Isiah Meloy, Emily Bennett, Don Nestor, Linda Teter and Jim Ketterman – placed first or second in their races.
Emily Bennett and Isaiah Meloy each bring home two medals for Tucker County during the West Virginia Special Olympics Winter Games at Canaan Valley Resort. Both participated in the 50 meter and 100 meter snowshoe race.
Parsons resident Don Nestor and Elkins resident Jim Ketterman enjoy cross county skiing during the West Virginia Special Olympics Winter Games at Canaan Valley Resort.
Randolph County Special Olympics Coach Dave Perry said Meloy, of Hambleton, captured two silver medals in the 50 and 100 meter snowshoe race; Bennett, of Tucker County, won two gold medals in the 50 and 100 meter snowshoe race; Don Nestor, of Parsons, brought home one gold and one silver medal in the 50 and 100 meter cross country ski race; Linda Teter, of Elkins, earned two gold medals in the 50 and 100 meter cross country ski race; and Jim Ketterman, of Elkins, scored a gold and silver medal in the 50 and 100 meter cross country ski race.
Perry said the games offers time for Special Olympians to visit with their friends from W.Va. and from Va. “They get to spend time with their friends, eating meals together, playing in the game room and attending a dance. It is lots of fun for them to get to compete in the activities and share time in other areas.”
Elkins resident Linda Teter prepares for the 50 meter cross county skiing race during the West Virginia Special Olympics Winter Games at Canaan Valley Resort.
He said in W.Va., there are four sets of games – skiing in the winter; basketball skills, basketball teams and cheerleading in the spring; track, field and bocce in the summer; and bowling in the fall. Perry said the Randolph County Special Olympics has their own bowling in the fall, rather than travel to the state games.
Perry said his group had a great time on the slopes and shopping in the local stores and gift shops. Additional information about West Virginia Special Olympics is available at www.sowv.org.
