February 23, 2016
1602
Six local Special Olympics athletes are joining Team Ontario to compete at the national winter games, slated for March 1-5, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
The curling team includes skip Ryan Brodhagen, second Chris Weese, lead Jackie McDonald, and vice Tyler Jilek of Kincardine, and alternate Gary Nuhn of Owen Sound.
Figure skater Rosie Laidler, 32, of Kincardine is competing in freeskate and dance at the nationals.
Laidler has been to the national games before but she has never travelled to Newfoundland, and is very excited about the trip.
"It's going to be so much fun," she said. "I've been practising three days a week, and have two more practices left. I've been doing some strength training as well. I'm going to do my best and I think I'll do well."
Laidler is coached by Lorilee Nelson in freeskate, and Curtis Moore in dance.
Meanwhile, the curling team members have been practising once a week, and doing some speed-skating. They also played a lot of other sports during the summer, including bocce ball, swimming, bowling, weight-lifting and floor hockey.
The team will play four seeding games, followed by the playoffs and the finals.
"We leave next Monday (March 1)," said Weese. "I feel good. I feel fantastic."
The entire team is excited about competing at the nationals for the first time.
"Our strategy is we like to do the set-up, put a guard in place, and then hold it to the end of the game," said Brodhagen. He and Jilek have the toughest jobs. As skip, Brodhagen makes the calls, and Jilek has to throw last rock in each end.
Joining them for the trip, are community coach Jim McDonald, head coach Ronnie Carter of Fonthill, and assistant coach Dorothy Gilchrist of Owen Sound. Several family members are also travelling to the nationals to support the team.
Team Ontario has more than 200 athletes competing at the Special Olympics national winter games, with 60 coaches and 14 mission staff and leadership team members. It's the largest team ever to go to nationals.
Of these athletes and coaches, 40 per cent are attending nationals for the first time. The athletes are competing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating.
For more information, check the following websites: www.cornerbrook2016.com and www.specialolympicsontario.com/teamontario
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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