Seven Year Itch and Lincoln County Brings Home 12 Awards

“This is what it’s all about,” said bronze medalist Frank Perdue. “It’s about family. We are there to support other teams. It’s not about winning.”

The Lincoln Country Ospreys softball team Perdue competed with brought home a bronze and the most important award of all – best sportsmanship.

The Oregon Special Olympics organization was undergoing financial problems, and in 2017, the new CEO decided to cut expenses, cut staff and discontinued this statewide competition.

However, this year, almost 1,000 athletes converged on OSU’s track field, softball stadium and the Beavers football arena. The dorms and cafeteria were abuzz with competitors and coaches. More than 250 volunteers assisted in the three day event – bocce ball, softball, and track & field.

Our Lincoln County athletes brought home gold’s for female 100 m dash and male softball toss; three silver’s, three bonze medals, fourth and fifth place ribbons and two sixth place ribbons.

Donna Thorpe, Lincoln County SO coordinator, was also a winner seemingly appearing in four places at the same time.

Rachel Parsons, one of the special-needs athletes who plays bocce, spoke to the Portland news outlet, KGW, about how important the Summer State Games are for her.

“Over half my life I have been involved with this. This organization has made the biggest impact on my life,” she said.

“I don’t know what I would do without it,” said Parsons’ bocce partner, Aubrey-Anne Tune, of the Summer State Games.

Said Parson’s mom, Anita, said, Anita: “Rachel just told me, ‘I’m having trouble sleeping I’m so excited for state games.’”

The games, transportation, housing, meals and uniforms, and in fact, the whole ball of wax, are free to all athletes. Our Ospreys are still on cloud nine a week after the hot competition. The Special Olympics motto runs deep for each team member:

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”