Wayne athlete earns spot on state team
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on April 19, 2006 1:46 PM
Special Olympics Wayne County athlete Erica Walderman hopes to one day play golf alongside her role model, Tiger Woods.
She has already won many awards and honors in her 13 years participating in Special Olympics. She recently earned a place on the Special Olympics Team North Carolina to compete in the 2006 USA National Games this summer.
In addition to golf, she has competed in aquatics and basketball and was a gold medalist for her division in the 2003 National Golf Invitational. She has also been the gold medalist in her division at the state's Fall Games for the last five years.
Ms. Walderman, 21, has been described by her coaches as a highly motivated, enthusiastic athlete. Exercising has helped keep her diabetes under control and the competitions have motivated her to stay in shape.
In July, she will travel to Ames, Iowa with 114 members of the state's Special Olympics team. She will join more than 3,500 athletes from around the country for the week's competition.
She will be accompanied by her parents, Debi and Richard, Special Olympics Wayne County coordinator and his daughter's caddie at the National Games.