THE DALLES — The Wasco/Sherman Special Olympics team has had a fantastic season and played their hearts out on and off the field. At their last competition in Goldendale, they went home with many medals and big smiles. “After 51 years on this planet … it still makes me happy to see people doing better than they did last year and getting better as humans. It's really lovely to see,” said one of the team coaches, Raven Rutherford.
Rutherford has been with the team for around 5 years and says, “There's not a single minute that I would ever take back from my own personal life, away from Special Olympics.” He began as a volunteer, and after a few years qualified to be a coach. “'I’m an athlete, and I'm a big believer that if you want to play sport, you should be able to play sport.”
Unfortunately, this year, though many athletes competed well, those on the team who qualified to go on to the state competition in Corvallis were unable to because there aren’t enough volunteers and coaches necessary to let the team travel. Some of the participants are medically fragile, and therefore it’s important that there are a certain number of athletes to support staff, and the team has struggled with reaching that goal.
It’s a difficult blow to them all.
“The Dalles team has regularly represented [the school well],” bringing back a lot of medals to showcase their ability. The team is looking for both volunteers and coaches going forward. It is totally free for both athletes and coaches, with other fees being covered by the Special Olympics who fundraise with events such as the state-wide Polar Plunge that took place in February (as previously reported in Columbia Gorge News). Those interested should visit specialolympicsoregon.org. There is a brief test and background check, and participants must be 16 years or older. Rutherford also said that the Special Olympics is a fantastic way to fulfill extracurricular requirements and volunteer hours, and that he has frequently written character references and referrals for colleges.
Even though the Dalles team can’t go this year, the Hood River team still has athletes competing, and Rutherford said, “I would love for people to go out there, even if they don't know anybody at all in Special Olympics … just to go out and to see just the fun and the pageantry. See these men and women compete on a high level in their sport. It's amazing.”
The competition takes place July 11-13 at Oregon State in Corvallis.
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