The 2009 Special Olympics Swim Team recieves medals after making it to the state competition. Courtesy of Lori Emery

By: Henna Khan

Staff Writer/ Photographer

Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps, and Walter Ray Williams are not the only professional athletes breaking records. Coppell High School’s special Olympic participants have maintained an outstanding record in swimming and bowling, now preparing for the basketball season. 

The Special Olympics program is made up of passionate, committed individuals who recognize the talent coming from children with intellectual disabilities. CHS in particular has approximately fifty volunteers signed up for the 2009-2010 school year to help with activities ranging from aquatics to medical assistance.

“Participating in sports such as bowling, swimming, and basketball allows the kids to do what others do, which makes them feel really good about themselves,” sophomore volunteer Irfan Riyaj said. “One of my friend’s brothers is autistic, and that inspired me to become a volunteer so that I can help these kids have fun.”

Aside from the youth volunteers, there are a total of fifteen coaches, which is of two or more for every sport. Several members of the CHS community have allocated their time to help the Special Olympics team succeed, and their effort along with the athletes’ passion has led them far in each competition they partake in.

“Special Olympics gives our athletes a place to shine and an opportunity to be with people they consider friends,” Physical Education teacher Angela Campbell said. “It’s great for everyone; parents have other families to talk to, and the volunteers have an opportunity to establish a true connection with the kids.”

The Special Olympics athletes compete around the clock. Swimming took place in the summer, bowling ended in November, and bocce rounded off 2009 with sophomore John Carpenter finishing first in bocce last year. The basketball season will begin in January, and the volunteers, coaches, and athletes hope to score big with this competition.

“With Special Olympics the season is year round. It began in the summer with swimming, and fourteen kids made it to the state level,” Adaptive Physical Education teacher Angela Campbell said. “Bowling went significantly well too, and we plan to kick off 2010 with an awesome basketball record.”

Hope is among the several things that the Special Olympic athletes gain from competing in all the different sports. Even though they may lack a few intellectual abilities, they definitely don’t have anything stopping them from swimming laps, shooting hoops, or running a mile with all their might.

“Soccer is a lot of fun for me. I have a ton of friends, and I hope to win every time,” Special Olympics participant Veronica Castillo said. “The sports are really exciting, and the best part is that we come home with trophies.”

With all the success they have had so far, coaches and volunteers have no doubts that their athletes will be successful in the seasons to come.