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SALT LAKE CITY — The air was thick with tension as the seconds ticked away in the final moments of the basketball tournament.
Dyno-Stars' lead was dwindling as their opponents, the Aggies became more aggressive.
"This is our game, finally!" Aggie Matt Deelstra shouted from the sidelines.
Despite the last minute press by their opponents, Dyno-Stars held strong through the finish with a 17-8 win. This was their second of three games against the Aggies during the Special Olympics Fall Sports Classic, held Friday and Saturday at the University of Utah.
With activities ranging from aquatics, to bocce and basketball, more than 800 athletes ages 8 and up were put in divisions according to their cognitive abilities. Some participated in tournaments and others learned techniques in workshops to prepare them for eventual team play.
In addition to the sport element, Special Olympics Utah hosted free dental, hearing, optical, podiatry, fitness and health clinics. Athletes, many of which are on Medicaid or Medicare, were able to get free dental cleanings, referrals, orthotics and glasses, among other benefits.
"It's about providing treatment for the athletes but its also about giving people in the health care fields an opportunity to work with people with disabilities and get more comfortable so that they'll then accept them into their offices and practices," said Special Olympics Utah CEO Amy Hansen.
Out on the bocce field, Jarron Christopher, wearing a lime-green shirt with the name of his group home, Chrysalis, written on it, prepared for his turn. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, lifted his hat and tossed his maroon ball. For his second turn, teammate and roommate John McKnight came beside him, pointed to where he wanted him to toss the ball and gave him tips. Christopher smiled, swung and threw the ball.
Up the field, Angelica Sanchez and Daniel Simper finished up their bocce game. This was Angelica's first year with Special Olympics and Simper's second.
It's been so much fun coaching them and seeing them grow. When I first came, their knowledge of the game was minimal and they just relied on their athleticism.
–Charlie Schultz, Dyno-Stars coach
"She loves it. It's so fun," said her mother, Loretta Sanchez, who minutes earlier was proudly cheering her on.
Simper's sister Amy Furrh said he participated in the individual events the previous year and has improved to the point where he is now on a team. Simper beamed as he showed off his student ID and talked about his previous game.
"I win," he said smiling.
Inside, basketball player Robert White, wearing basketball goggles, swung his arms near his teammates as he prepared for his game. He talked about his two jobs and the acting classes that he is taking on the side. Although he is busy, "I always have time for my friends," he said.
The sports help the athletes gain confidence, along with work, social and life skills, said Bobbi Jo Kanter, director of program services for Special Olympics Utah.
Division 1 Dyno-Stars compete on a unified sports team, where people without intellectual impairments play with Special Olympic athletes. Athletes in this division are higher functioning and are able to compete at a more aggressive level.
"It's been so much fun coaching them and seeing them grow. When I first came, their knowledge of the game was minimal and they just relied on their athleticism," said Charlie Schultz, Dyno-Stars coach.
He taught the athletes techniques, introduced weight lifting and encouraged them to live a healthy lifestyle, as he would any athlete.
"Once you start putting labels on kids and start treating them differently, that's when society starts doing that. Our goal is to, you know, treat them like I would any other basketball player: teach them the game, hopefully teach them some life lessons through the game," Schultz said. "I think they respect that. I think they like that. I think that's why our high-functioning kids come back because they're not treated like they're a 3-year-old."
One of the unified partners, Sam Matagi, was on the court playing with and directing his teammates. He has a unique bond with the team; although not cognitively impaired, he is missing both forearms. He plays using arms designed for the game.
"It makes me feel good to give back to the community and to my disabled brothers. I call them brothers because, you know, you don't want to let them down," he said.
Members of the team are such good athletes that people don't know they're a Special Olympic group, Schultz said. He works with the team using concrete, "black and white" language that is simple and will help them learn, he said.
After Saturday's game, he congratulated the team on playing well and reminded them of their final game against the Aggies, who would be eager for a win after two losses.
"We've got one more game if we win. If we lose, we have to play another one. Let's just win the game and get out of here. How about that?" he told his team.
He reminded the Dyno-Stars to finish their layups, telling them they left 12 points on the floor.
"Collect yourself and pull out a decent shot. We don't need to rush," he said. "We're big. We're strong. That's why we do the weights."
Working with the team is "rewarding" he said.
"We're trying to strive to show people that these kids are able to play sports, and how beneficial sports are for these athletes. I mean, they're so proud when they get to come out here and play (for) their parents and everyone," he said.
For more information on Special Olympics Utah, visit sout.org.
