PEEL—Manitoulin Special Olympics (MSO) athletes brought home a staggering total of 24 medals from the Ontario Special Olympics (OSO) Summer Games held in Peel this past weekend.
“What an amazing group of athletes we have,” stated Janet Anning, coordinator and coach of the MSO on the accomplishments of the local athletes at the provincials.
Ms. Anning explained, “seven of our athletes received 17 gold, and six silver medals; and everyone posted personal bests at these events. And the ball team that Sandra Graham was a coach with from Almaguin won a gold medal as well.”
The MSO athletes were led by Austin Featherstone who won four gold medals. He was first in the 3,000 metre, 1,500 metre and 800 metre relay races as well as gold in the 400 metre relay in his division.
Yuri Clayton brought home four medals as well, two gold and two silver. He was first in the javelin and 200 metre races in his division and won silver in the standing long jump and 100 metre races.
Matthew Bedard garnered four medals, bringing home gold in the 400 metre relay, and silver in the 1,500 metre, 800 metre and 400 metre races in his division.
Yashua Marsland garnered three medals, all gold, in the provincials. He was first in the javelin, standing long jump and 100 metre races.
Mark Dokum also came home with three gold medals. He was first in his division in the 100 metre race, javelin and the shot put.
Andrew Splawnyck was first in two events, winning the gold medal in his division’s 100 metre relay race and gold in the running long jump.
And, not to be outdone, Kelsey Mellan won three medals at the games. She earned gold medals in both the shot put and 400 metre relay races in her division, and won a silver medal in the 200 metre race.
