Walton County Special Olympians Triumph at State Olympic Games

Walton County Special Olympians, coaches, and volunteers                                    Photo by Lisa Fogie

Walton County Special Olympians did well at the State Games in Gainesville, GA the weekend of October 8th, bringing home many awards.  A record breaking thirty-one athletes competed.

Walton County Red Hawks (masters/traditional bocce)

Gold Medal Winners

Clockwise from the left:  Whitney Lightfoot, Chantal Nkongho-Eyong, Sunny Wisdom, Adam Fogie 
Photo by Lisa Fogie

Walton County Tigers Bocce (seniors/traditional bocce)

Silver Medal Winners

From right:  Tyler Green, James Casper, Autumn Mayfield, Andrea Williams                   Photo by Beth Green

Walton County Warriors (masters/traditional softball)

Bronze Medal Winners

Back Row:  Rod Smith, Dustin Cleghorn , Chris Reinhart, Justin Jenkins, Emory Towler, Sam Adams, Chris Ellison, Front Row: Coach John Arquette, Jamal Hendricks, Stephanie Connelly, Casey Craig,                  Not Pictured: Jon Ross Snell                                                                                      Photo by Lisa Fogie

Walton County Wolverines (modified softball)

Bronze Medal Winners

Back row from right:  Coach Dennis Hoskins, Coach David Pettus, Quadarious Lackey, Damien Alley, Andrew Caldwell, Caleb Hoskins, Raekwon Lackey  Front row from right:  Brianna Babb, Dario Glenn, Christian Pettus, Lexi Gamble, Daniel Schussler, Naomi Green, Coach Robert Jackson, Coach Rex Morris
Photo by Shannon Schussler

Equestrian team, Coach Debi Dalton, and Walton Volunteers                        Photo by Amanda Reed

Friday - Western Riding
Brad Lee Whitaker - Gold (Beginner I)
Ryan Hinkle - Gold (Beginner I)
Courtnee Reed - Gold (Beginner II)
Isiah Bell - Silver (Beginner I-A)
Maya Bell - Gold (Intermediate II)
Madison Brodnax - Bronze (Intermediate IV)

Rider Madison Brodnax                                             Photo by Amanda Reed

Saturday - Horsemanship
Brad Lee Whitaker - Silver (Beginner II)
Ryan Hinkle - Silver (Beginner I)
Courtnee Reed - Gold (Beginner II)
Isiah Bell - Gold (Beginner I-A)
Maya Bell - Gold (Intermediate II)
Madison Brodnax - Gold (Intermediate IV)
Drill Team - Gold (Level II)
Madison Brodnax
Maya Bell
Autumn Marlow (Unified Partner)
Kate Trommer (Unified Partner)
Lexie Morgan (Unified Partner)

Isiah Bell                                                                                           Photo by Amanda Reed

Sunday - Working Trails
Brad Lee Whitaker - Silver (Beginner I)
Ryan Hinkle - Bronze (Beginner I)
Courtnee Reed - Silver (Beginner II)
Isiah Bell - Silver (Beginner I-A)
Maya Bell - Silver (Intermediate II)
Madison Brodnax - 4th place (Intermediate IV)

Courtnee Reed                         Photo by Amanda Reed

Our athletes wish to thank the coaches, volunteers, and supporters of the Walton County Special Olympics who make it possible for them to attend the state games. Congratulations to all our athletes who did their best and kept the Special Olympic oath, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Contributors:  Amanda Reed, Kim Wages, Lisa Fogie, and Shannon Schussler