Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes and coaches took part in the annual Special Olympics State Summer Games held May 24-26 at Iolani School on Oahu.
The local athletes participated in coach pitch softball, swimming, track and field and powerlifting.
The coach pitch softball team, the Kona Eagles, brought home the bronze medal.
The Special Olympics athletes on the squad were: Robbie Sanoria, Quentin Wong, Marinna Takahashi Ruiz, Ray Donager, Isaiah Wong, Logan Ditty, Zachary Trim, Byron Pabre and Kaiena Costa. The head coach is Andrea King and assistant coaches are Aaron King and Gene Power.
The track and field athletes earned four gold medals, two silvers and two bronze. The athletes are: Edna Phillip, Lendon Cariaga-Ventura, Lois Phillip and Mickey Rooney. They were coached by Rich Randazzo and assistant coach Sandra Mariano.
The Special Olympics swim team, Biting Sharks, racked up three gold medals and one bronze. The athletes are: Kaiena Costa, Noah Verhalen Slater and Ben Finestone.
The powerlifting team, Kona Krushers, brought home a whopping 11 gold medals, 10 silver, and five bronze.
The athletes are: Quentin Wong, Isaiah Wong, Ray Donager, Shawn Lehano, Kalei Lee, Yuu Takahashi and Dara Sabri. The head coach was Denise Lindsey, with assistant coaches are Melissa Oman, Kit Kurtz, Nani Lehano and Jehromy Otterman.
