Special Olympians bring home medals
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on November 27, 2006 1:45 PM
Special Olympics Wayne County sent a group of 13 athletes, playing partners, coaches and family to participate in golf events at the 2007 Special Olympics North Carolina State Fall Games in High Point recently.
Coaches Rich and Debi Walderman said they weren't sure what to expect since the games were moved this year from Winston-Salem.
"High Point turned out to be an excellent choice to hold the fall games," Walderman said. "The city of High Point welcomed the athletes from over 35 counties with open arms."
The competition was pretty intense, he added, especially for first-timers Alan Jenkins, individual skills athlete, and the 9-hole alternate shot father-son team of Phil and Jacob Huffman.
"I was pretty impressed with Jacob's performance on such a tough, hilly layout," Walderman said.
The Huffman's placed fourth in the division. Jenkins, coached by his father Don, took th e gold medal in his division.
Ryan Hood, individual skills athlete and Wayne County's Global Messenger, was coached by his father Rex and placed fifth in his division.
The second year father-son team of Bob and Stephen Hannum improved from last year's silver medal performance to take home the gold medal in the 9-hole individual stroke division.
Erica Walderman, competing in the women's 9-hole individual stroke division, won the gold medal for the sixth consecutive year.
All the gold medal winners now qualify for selection to the North Carolina team, which will compete in the National Invitational next September.