Great Fun at NE MT Special Olympics

The Northeast Montana Area Games for Special Olympics Montana took place at the Glasgow High School track last week, May 2. With community support from GHS students and faculty, local law enforcement and community members, the games welcomed just over 20 athletes from Glasgow and the surrounding area.

Throughout the day those athletes participated in events such as the softball throw, standing long jump and assisted and unassisted foot races, all of which would decide which of those participants would go on to represent Northeast Montana in the State Games in Great Falls, May 14 – 17.

In all, 10 athletes will be heading to Great Falls to represent NE MT in the State Games. They are Jennifer Franzen, Karla Garsjo, Linda Laumeyer, Rob Carpenter, Brian Stotts, Shaundel Alexander, Cari Knowles, Shawn Garwood, Isaiah Devereaux and Tiffany Granholm.

According to Michelle Eliason with Milk River Inc ,. the event this year went really well but she has hopes to see it grow. "It used to be a huge deal in Glasgow," said Eliason, "so now we're trying to get that back."

She plans to do that through continued community support, especially with local law enforcement like Valley County Deputy Alex Esteves and Glasgow Police Sergeant Tyler Edwards who helped to organize the area games and the Law Enforcement Torch Run through Valley County.

Deputy Esteves commented on the day's events stating, "The area games went well. I wish there would've been other teams that came to compete, but our Special Olympics athletes did awesome."

Another major support to the games is the high school. Not only are the games held at GHS' track, but students from Rod Karst's Leadership Class and Individual Sports Class assisted in putting on the games, tracking events, keeping score and cheering on the athletes throughout the games.

Karst also thought the day went well, sharing Esteves' sentiments, he would also like to see more teams participate next year like Malta and other area communities. "Hopefully, we will have more than just the Glasgow athletes here next year," said Karst already making plans for future events.

According to Karst, students who assisted with the games included: Kobe Sibley, Trevor Klind, Keigan Skolrud, Taylor Pederson, Bill Nicol, Kenna Anderson, Kenna Strommen, Iris McKean, Emma Page and Alexis Mann.

Eliason also wanted to recognize Albertsons of Glasgow for supplying the food for the barbecue and the Glasgow Rec Department for providing equipment for the games.

The state games will be held May 14-17 at various venues in Great Falls. The Law Enforcement Torch Run will pass through Glasgow this Thursday, May 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The procession will start at the Cottonwood with first responders. They will then meet up with area athletes at Triple-A Glass before finishing at Ezzies Westend. The public is welcome to attend the event and support area athletes.