Olympian to compete in USA Games
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 1, 2018 3:05 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Scott Britt tosses a bocce ball down the field during an exhibition match June 23 at the Bryan Multisports Complex.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Scott Britt tosses a bocce ball down the field during an exhibition match June 23 at the Bryan Multisports Complex. He and other Special Olympics athletes will represent North Carolina in the international games in July. Also pictured is his partner Chase Stroud representing Iredell County.
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Scott Britt, right, an athlete with Special Olympics Wayne County, will be competing at the USA Games this week in Seattle, Washington. At left is D'Leeshia Lee, coordinator of the local Special Olympics, who will also be traveling to the national event.
Herman Park Center was abuzz on Thursday morning in anticipation of Scott Britt's arrival for his surprise "send-off party" before heading to the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington.
Summer Camp kids lined the hallway. Strains of the popular Olympics theme music filled the air as Britt rounded the corner and walked the gauntlet of outstretched arms raised in his honor.
"It surprised me," he said afterward of the warm welcome. "It feels real good."
Britt, of Grantham, is one of 61 Special Olympics athletes on Team North Carolina, representing the state at the 2018 national games.
His sport is bocce. He will compete in three events -- singles, doubles and four-man team.
"I'm ready," he said, smiling broadly.
He has been preparing for this ever since Donna May, recreational therapist who is also general manager of the Special Olympics program, began coaching him.
Last weekend, an invitational practice session was held in Goldsboro at the Bryan Multisports Complex.
"Three athletes from the USA team showed up for the invitational bocce practice," May said. "Three teams from Wayne County played the USA team, for a total of eight games. It was an opportunity for them to play each other."
Britt enjoyed the kick-off event in preparation for the contest going on this week in Seattle.
And not to brag, but he did quite well.
"It went good -- I was three out of three," he said. "I was down 11 to 7. I came back and won and the second game we were playing two-man team and we won 12 to nothing.
"Then we played on the four-man team and we won 16 to 1. I let them get one point!"
Scott left for the nationals on Saturday, his first time flying and traveling out of state, he said.
D'Leeshia Lee, Special Olympics local coordinator, is also making the trip to represent the program.
To follow his journey on social media, visit Twitter @SONC_BeAFan, on Facebook at Special Olympics NC or Instagram @specialolympics_nc.