On Friday, May 31, 10 athletes representing the Special Olympics Stokes County bowling program headed to Raleigh to compete in the 2024 Summer Games. They joined nearly 1500 other Special Olympics athletes and unified partners from across the state for a weekend of competition and fun.
This year marks the fourth Summer Games that have been attended by our athletes and was the largest number of athletes so far. This year, we had five bowlers compete in the singles event, two teams compete in the doubles event and, for the first time, one team compete in the unified doubles event.
The athletes that competed in the singles event were Jackson Chapman, Eli Otten, Khloe Oxendine, Ricky Rickert and Sage Willard.
The athletes that competed in the doubles event were Morgan Wright and teammate Tristan Bramblett and Madison Cain and teammate Marshall Britt.
In the unified doubles event, athlete Braxton Eichel was partnered with his stepfather, Travis Franklin.
Each athlete that competed had attended the Special Olympics Stokes County bowling sessions on Sunday afternoons at Rural Hall Lanes. Any athlete that is interested in attending the Summer Games is eligible as long as they have the required number of games bowled during practice sessions, which are submitted to Special Olympics North Carolina in order to place the bowlers in their divisions for the state level competition. These divisions are determined based on age, gender and ability levels. Bowlers bowl on both Saturday and Sunday. Scores bowled on Saturday determine their final divisions for Sunday’s competition and the total of both Saturday’s and Sunday’s scores determine medal placements for each division.
The weekend is not just about the sports. It is a weekend where athletes with different abilities get together with other athletes, their families and coaches to celebrate differences while embracing inclusion, allowing each to shine in their own unique way.
The weekend began Friday night with the always inspiring Opening Ceremony held at Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of NC State University. It was a night filled with music, dancing, inspiring and motivational speeches as well as some performances from dance groups and a Cirque de Vol performer. Law enforcement officers from across the state presented the Circle of Honor and the lighting of the cauldron to officially declare the Summer Games as open.
After Saturday’s competitions, the athletes, their families and coaches attended an evening of fun events at the Carmichael Gymnasium on the campus of NC State University. Athletes were given the opportunity to shop for souvenirs, play bingo, climb a rock wall, play cornhole and attend a huge dance party. It was a fun end to the day.
Our athletes hit the lanes again on Sunday for the final day of competition with their families and coaches supporting them with every shot. Stokes County was well represented again this year and all of their hard work and dedication during the Sunday practice sessions served them well. They showed great courage, skill and sportsmanship all weekend.
The results for the Special Olympics Stokes County athletes in their divisions are:
Singles
Jackson Chapman (Gold Medal)
Eli Otten (Silver Medal)
Khloe Oxendine (6th Place Ribbon)
Ricky Rickert (Silver Medal)
Sage Willard (Sliver Medal)
Doubles
Madison Cain and Marshall Britt (Gold Medal)
Morgan Wright and Tristan Bramblett (6th Place Ribbon)
Unified doubles
Braxton Eichel and Travis Franklin (Silver Medal)
We are so very proud of our athletes, and we are already looking forward to the 2025 Summer Games!
A huge thank you to Special Olympics Stokes County co-coordinators, Mitzi and Steve Britt, fellow coaches, Mark Borre and Delton Ballard and Rural Hall Lanes proprietor, Justin Tuttle. And most especially, thank you to our athletes and their families!
The Special Olympics Stokes County bowling program began 5 years ago and has been growing in popularity each year. There is also a Unified Cheer Squad that was formed late last year and won Gold in their first ever SONC Cheerleading Tournament that was held at Seaford High School in March under the leadership of coaches Sara Jensen and Anastasia Young.
These are just two programs that are great opportunities for those with different abilities in Stokes County. We would love to expand to include other sports. The possibilities are there, we just have to make them happen. If you would like to become involved as an athlete, coach or volunteer please contact co-coordinators Mitzi and Steve Britt at stokes@sonc.net . For more information about Special Olympics North Carolina, visit their website, SONC.net.
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