Athletes from the central Kenai Peninsula brought home 45 medals at the Special Olympics Alaska State Summer Games, which were held in Anchorage last weekend from June 7-9. Local athletes competed in both swimming and basketball skills competitions.
The Central Peninsula team fielded 17 local athletes in the competition. In swimming, they secured 41 medals, made up of 20 gold, 14 silver and seven bronze. In basketball skills, the central peninsula saw four more medals: three golds and a silver.
Trystin Clucas had four medals, including gold in the 100-meter freestyle and gold in a relay with Jason Criss, Joshua Hall and Darryl Magen. Clucas also took a silver and a bronze.
Criss picked up four golds, for the relay and for three lengths of freestyle.
Josh Delie took gold in the 200-meter backstroke and also landed two silvers.
Kendra Derning claimed gold in the 25-meter backstroke and also came home with a silver and a bronze.
Sawyer Elliott landed two golds, for the 25-meter backstroke and breaststroke, complemented with two silvers.
Jessica Gilbert was first for gold in the 100-meter backstroke and also scored a bronze.
Hannah Hall claimed two golds, for basketball speed dribble and for basketball individual skills level one.
Joshua Hall took gold with his relay team and also delivered performances good for a silver and two bronze medals.
Alex Harrison secured a silver individually in the 50-meter freestyle and landed another in a relay with Elliott, Lachlan McManus and Noah Moore.
Harrison told the Clarion before leaving for Anchorage that he was looking forward to swimming in a relay with his teammates for the first time. He also landed a bronze.
Molly Joseph won gold in basketball individual skills level one and also brought home a silver.
Brandi Martin took first for gold in the 25-meter freestyle and also landed a bronze
McManus picked up gold in the 25-meter freestyle, in addition to three silvers.
Jacoby Moore landed two golds in the 25- and 15-meter assisted swims.
Noah Moore put up a gold for the 50-meter backstroke, also collecting two silvers and a bronze.
Mercedes Norris took home a silver for the 25-meter breaststroke.
Trinity Phippin claimed a pair of golds for the 25- and 15-meter flotation races.
Cece Strongheart landed two golds, for the 100-meter individual medley and for the 100-meter freestyle.
Emma Titus collected gold for the 25-meter freestyle.
For more information about the team and their competition, find “Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula Community” on Facebook.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
The Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula team stands together for a photo during the Summer State Games in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo provided by Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula)
