The Wolverines at the Special Olympic State Games 2016

Bronze Medal Winners!

Christian is super cool in this one.

C'mon Dario!

Look at Raekwon smiling!

Awards!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

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

Walton County Wolverines Win!

Malachi Sugars ready to bat      Written by and Photos by Shannon Schussler

Special Olympic baseball team the Walton County Wolverines fought hard and were victorious.  On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the Wolverines won the championship in the Eighth Annual Battle of the Bats, in the Modified Baseball Division (03) at the Forsyth Special Olympic Games. Coached by Walker Park Elementary P.E. coach Robert Jackson, the Wolverines won their first game against the Cobb County Bulldogs (5,0) in the double elimination tournament.

Dario Glenn with Coach Jackson

Last year, the Wolverines placed third in the tournament.  After the first bracket win this year, the Wolverines faced last year's winner the Big Dogs - Blue of Henry County.  Though the Big Dogs gained a victory in the second bracket (3,6), the Wolverines were not discouraged.  In bracket three, the Wolverines won against the same Cobb County Bulldogs from bracket one (4,2).  In their fourth straight game in 90 degree temperatures, the Wolverines faced the Big Dogs from Henry County once again.  With excitement that almost could not be contained, the Wolverines battled hard and claimed a victory against the Henry County Big Dogs (6.4).

Coach Jackson with players Malachi Sugars, Daniel Schussler, and Brianna Babb for the final game coin toss

Still hot and tired before the fifth and final game, Coach David Pettus told the team, "If you win this game, you get to pour ice water on Coach.  If you lose, he gets to pour water on you!"  In the beginning of the second inning, the Wolverines were down two to four.  Then, their bats got hot and the Wolverines won 16 to 4 in the championship game.

Back row from right:  Raeqwon Lackey, Lexi Gamble, Coach Rex Morris, Andrew Caldwell, Quadarious Lackey, Avanta Evans, Coach Robert Jackson, Damien Alley, Caleb Hoskins, Coach Dennis Hoskins, Coach David Pettus
Front row from right:  Dario Glenn, Brianna Babb, Naomi Green, Daniel Schussler, Christian Pettus, Malachi Sugars

After receiving the blessing of the ice, Coach Jackson declared, "I'm twenty degrees cooler!"  Coach then preceded to give free hugs to his team.
The team is made up of mainly students from Carver Middle School, but also includes students from Monroe Area High School, students who are home schooled, and students from The Bridge of Georgia.

Trophies for Wolverines

Wolverines

Additional congratulations to Coach John Arquette, Coach Steve Connelly, and Special Olympic baseball team the Walton County Warriors who placed fifth in their division.  "It was a fight, that last game." stated player Rod Smith.  Warriors roster:  Justin Jenkins, Emory Towler, Jon Ross Snell, Dustin Cleghorn, Rod Smith, Chris Ellison, Chris Reinhart, Stephanie Connelly, Sam Adams, Jamal Hendricks, Casey Craig.

Both teams would like to thank Coach Arquette, Coach Connelly, Coach Jackson, Coach Hoskins, Coach Pettus, Coach Morris, Player Coordinator Carla Gates, Snackman Curtis Pettus, driver Mr. Smalley, Walton County Special Olympic Chair Kim Wages, Walton County Special Olympics Supporters, Carver Middle School, Walton County Parks and Rec, and all the family and friends who cheered!

Memorial Day Surprise, May 31, 2016

Happy Memorial Day to all in the United States.  To those watching/playing the US Stock Market, welcome back to ESM6 2100's.  The light holiday trading gave the market the opportunity to sneak us back up here.  Can the market hold the gains?