BATTLEFORDS — It was a day to celebrate successes for Special Olympics Battlefords.
Special Olympics Battlefords held its year-end wind-up and awards night on June 11. All athletes were recognized for their participation, with the following trophies handed out:
- Best Attendance – Cletus Gerlinsky;
- Best All-Around Athlete – Michael Brumby;
- Most Consistent Curler – LoriAnn Berry;
- Top Notch Bocce – Ethan Bartko;
- Deepest Diver Award – Bradley Auchstaetter;
- Excellent Effort Award (Gym/Fitness Program) – Victoria Machniak; and
- Most Humble Award – Gordon Kryzanowski.
Linda Machniak, treasurer of Special Olympics Battlefords, said it was a good opportunity to honour the athletes' efforts and accomplishments.
"We had our year-end barbecue wrap-up for the season," she said. "The committee decided they would give one award for each sport that we offer. Then, a couple of other ones for participation as well."
About 25 people participate in Special Olympics Battlefords sports.
Machniak noted there are also a number of volunteers who help out.
"We could always use more," she added. "If people have young people they want to get involved, they are welcome to call."
The wind-up celebration takes place every year around this time. The athletes then take a break for the summer and start up again with the club in the fall.
Machniak noted that because it was smoky outside this year, the barbecue get-together was held inside the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce building instead.
Machniak was impressed with the athletes' dedication to sport.
"It's amazing," she said. "They are all so dedicated. This year new to us was the fitness program. The young people really gravitated to that. It was probably the first chance many of them had a chance to be in a real gym, with real gym equipment, and real gym coaches, like physical fitness coaches. So that was a real positive for the year. And I think the staples, like the swimming — that swimming program is a staple. It's very well attended. And the curling, and the other programming that the group does. There are certain segments of the group that come out for each sport. They are all really well supported."
