A number of local athletes had an impressive showing at the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Spring Games which took place in the Waterloo Region this past weekend.
The games were weeks away from happening in 2020 when they were postponed due to the pandemic — with hundreds of athlete dreams being put on hold, and hours of hard work and dedication of local organizers being left in limbo.
The organizers were thrilled to bring the Games back to the Waterloo Region this year, showcasing athletes across five sports: basketball, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, and 10-pin bowling.
The event drew more than 750 athletes from across the province — including six from Sarnia: Daniel Robar, Sara Yates, Angela Sauve, Rebecca Pitts and Noah Pyke as well Callum MacDonald represented Sarnia Special Olympics.
Powerlifters Robar and Yates put in some heavy lifting, placing well in their competitions.
Robar took home a second place finish in the dead lift competition and another second place in the bench press, allowing him the chance at some podium finishes.
Yates lifted her way to a couple of top 5 finishes, coming in 4th for the bench press competition and 5th for the dead lift event.
Pyke, Sauve, and Pitts competed in 10-pin bowling, putting in some impressive work with top three finishes.
Pyke finished first in doubles, 3rd in singles and a 2nd place finish overall, while Pitts finished 2nd place in teams, first place in doubles and 3rd place in Singles.
Sauve also had an impressive weekend, finishing 2nd in the team event and picked up a pair of 3rd place finishes in doubles and singles action. Sauve finished the weekend 2nd overall.
Pitts continued the Pin Pals excellent showing at the spring games, taking a 3rd place finish in the singles competition and a 2nd place in the team event, while winning the doubles competition with a first palace finish.
Callum MacDonald of the Sarnia Lambton Dolphins competed in three events over the weekend, with a pair of first place finishes.
McDonald swam his way to finishing 1st in both the 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke. McDonald also captured a 2nd place finish in the 50m breaststroke.
Along with the athletic component, the games also focus on friendship and having fun, closing with a dance.
Of course none of this happens without the support of the great community partners as well the community support these athletes receive as a part of the Special Olympics Sarnia.
If you would like to help out by donating or volunteering your time to help coach, visit the Special Olympics Sarnia website at https://sarnia.specialolympicsontario.ca/home for more information on how you can help out.