The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games were held in Seattle, Washington in early July. Of the more than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing 50 state programs, 46 athletes were from Virginia. Athletes from the NRV made up 16 of those men and women participating in softball and track.
Josh Norris, from Blacksburg, ran a 3K and a 5K winning a bronze for each, and silver in the 10K.
“He ran those three races in four days and achieved a personal record in each event,” his mom, BJ Norris, just back from the event, said. “His twin brother, Ben, plays on the softball team.”
The softball team is a unified team – meaning it is made up of athletes with and without disabilities.
There were 15 team members and 2 coaches. Their local name is ‘The Valley,’ but at the USA Games the NRV team were Team Virginia.
Other competitions at the games included basketball, aquatics, bocce, flag football, tennis, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, standup paddleboard, and volleyball.
The next USA Games will be in Orlando in four years.
“With a little luck, however, Josh will be going to World Games in Abu Dhabi in March. We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” his mom said.
The team is always revving up for the next competition, whether it’s local, regional, state, nationals or world games.
“Most of the athletes who competed on the softball team will be playing volleyball in the fall. The next big competition for that will be state championships in Virginia Beach in November. Others will be bowling. We will send athletes to Virginia Beach for that as well,” she said. “We try to keep our athletes engaged year round. Swimming and bowling in fall, winter and spring. Skiing, basketball and a walking group in winter. Softball and track and field in spring. We regroup in the summer!”
Recently, Josh received a preliminary invitation to compete in World Games in March. He will attend a training camp in Delaware in late September, where a final determination will be made.
For more information, visit www.specialolympicsusagames.org.
