Statesville.com - Statesville Record and Landmark

HomeNewsEntertainmentSportsLifestylesOpinionCommunityWeather Online Tools Jobs | Real Estate | Shopping | Classified

Five athletes from Lake Norman compete in games

From staff reports

Published: August 21, 2008

The Special Olympics of Lake Norman program sent a contingent of five athletes to compete in the Special Olympics NC Summer games in Raleigh.

The summer games feature statewide competition in aquatics, gymnastics, softball and volleyball.
The athletes competing for Lake Norman in the aquatics competition - aptly named the "Hammerheads" - were Tyler Deaton, Kim Tolbert, Joseph Furin and Roland Jordan. The gymnastics athlete representing the Lake Norman program was Kristen Milstead.

The swimmers were each able to enter five separate events and at the end of competition proved to be masters of the pool. The events entered by the athletes were the 25, 50, 100, 200 or 400 Freestyle, the 25, 50 or 100 Backstroke, 4x25 Relay, 4 x 50 Relay, and the 50 Breaststroke. Of the 20 events the Lake Norman swimmers competed in, the Hammerhead team's exceptional athletes brought home 16 Gold Medals, one Silver and two Bronze medals.

Showing great stamina and skill, Kim Tolbert and Joseph Furin each won Gold medals in all five of their events. Roland Jordan won three Gold Medals, a Silver and a Bronze Medal. Tyler Deaton earned himself two Gold medals, a Bronze and a fourth place ribbon.

The talented Kristen Milstead competed in gymnastics, performing in five events. These were the balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars, vaulting, and finally judged on all around athletics. Kristen was able to earn herself five Silver medals due to her outstanding talent and effort in the competition.

The Lake Norman athletes are extremely proud of their participation, as every competitor earned their way to a medal winning finish. The Special Olympics of Lake Norman contingent was brought to this tremendous finish by Aquatics Coach Peter Calame and Gymnastic Coach Kris Milstead.

The Special Olympics of Lake Norman program welcomes new athletes to the program. Volunteer coaches are needed to assist in the training of athletes. For information on participating, please contact Mr. David Cooper, local coordinator, at 704-662-6684.