LEWISVILLE, Texas – A group of athletes from Special Olympics Texas were the featured guests this past Friday at the Southern Collegiate Athletics Conference (SCAC) Swimming and Diving Championships, which were contested at the Lewisville ISD Aquatic Center. Photo Gallery
Eight members of the Lewisville Lightning swim team had the opportunity to demonstrate their swimming skills as the team performed just prior to the third night of finals competition.
“I would like to thank the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the opportunity to showcase our Special Olympics swimmers,” said Jim Domer, Head of Delegation for Lewisville ISD Special Olympics. “It is organizations like the SCAC that include our special-needs athletes that helps bring awareness to what – with hard work – Special Olympic athletes can accomplish.”
Some of the loudest cheers of the four-day championship were reserved for the Lightning swim team as they marched to the starting blocks and entered the competition pool. With SCAC student-athletes surrounding the pool and every patron on their feet, the athletes competed in a 25-meter swim as well as two relays.
"The cheers from the crowd before and after my race were awesome," said Bruce Lindahl, one of the members of the Lewisville Lightning.
Following their swim, the team hung around to chat with several SCAC student-athletes and also took a group photo atop the championship awards stand.
“I want to thank the Lewisville ISD Lightning for taking the time to come out to our championships,” said SCAC commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. “The spirit and desire of these athletes to compete at the highest possible level is truly inspiring, and it was an honor to provide them an opportunity to showcase their skills.”
"What a great experience for both our SCAC student-athletes and the Special Olympic athletes,” said Southwestern University Athletics Director Glada Munt. “Being on the pool deck with all of them enabled me to see what a special moment it was for our Special Olympic athletes to compete and be cheered on by our SCAC student-athletes and fans! I was very proud of our SCAC conference office for going that extra mile to make the event happen."
The Lewisville ISD Special Olympics Team was formed in 1983 and, in conjunction with the Lewisville Independent School District, provides year-round sports training for special-needs athletes in Lewisville, Highland Village, Copper Canyon, Double Oak, The Colony and Flower Mound.