Ready to make memories

The excitement continues to grow for four members of Gander Wings Special Olympics, as there's only a few days left before the group boards a plane and heads to London, Ont., for the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

Gander's Floressa Harris, Johnny Philpott and Michael Harris, along with Lewisporte's Mike Austin, are members of the provincial athletics team that will compete at the Summer Games.

Athletics head coach Dr. Carmel Casey, who's attending her third national games event, said the four are primed to make a competitive run at a national medal. For three of the athletes, this will be their first time attending a national event. For another, however, a trip to nationals isn't anything new.

"Our four athletes are ready. For Johnny, this will be his fourth national games, so he knows what to expect," said Casey. "For the rest of our athletes this is going to be their first time, so it's going to be an eye-opening experience and quite exciting for them. I've seen the athletes in the national scene several times, and our guys are as good as any of them."

The group will leave for London from St. John's with the rest of their teammates on July 11, and return to Newfoundland and Labrador on July 18.

With boarding call only days away, Casey said training has been scaled back significantly.

"We're at a phase now where we're lightening the training a little bit, and we're hoping to get the athletes ready to peak at the competition," she said. "That's our goal right now. The athletes have trained really hard and worked with some great training coaches at this great Gander 9 Wing Base gym. They look very, very good and they've been doing some mental training, so we're hoping to see some good results at the competition."

The mental training was done by a local psychologist who helped the athletes block out the many distractions that will be evident at the national event. From tons of media coverage, to blocked venues, there will be plenty going on that could distract the athletes.

"We did some work with psychologist Heather Paul, and she did a session with our athletes on relaxation training, and trying to enhance their focus and concentration," said Casey. "There's going to be a lot of distractions at this competition - it's a large venue, hundreds of athletes competing, thousands of spectators and a lot of media - so the session with Heather will help the athletes focus on their races, throws, or jumps, and not get distracted."

Effort paying off

Success is nothing new for Gander Wings Special Olympics athletics, as competitors continue to put up strong results at local and provincial track and field meets. For the upcoming national games, however, Casey said the athletes have been preparing for not months, but years.

"When you look at this particular journey these athletes have been on, it started for them in September 2008," she said. "They trained the entire year for provincials in July 2009 where they qualified for the provincial team so they could go to nationals. They've actually been training for two years."

The coaching staff began to mold the athletes in 2008. First, the athletes got an idea of where their fitness level was, and then it was all about improving their skills.

"We look at a competitive season and try to make a plan for that...and then look at a long-term plan. From September to December, Teena Adey does a lot of general fitness work with our athletes so they can get a good idea of where their fitness level is at," said Casey. "After Christmas we focus a bit more on the particular aspects of what will be required at the competition - things like jumping, throwing and running."

Overall, the success of the Gander Wings Special Olympics athletics competitors stems from a combination of dedicated athletes, and dedicated coaches. When everything comes together, the local Special Olympians bring an effort that's hard to match.

"We have a combination of a great group of athletes who want to be physically active, and we have a great group of coaches who are knowledgeable about physical activity, and have been able to work with the athletes from September to June, and have them ready for those track meets every year," said Casey. "We train hard right throughout the year, and we see how that pays off when our athletes go to competitions because they are that much more fit, faster and stronger."

One of the athletes who leads by example is Philpott, who does his own training along with the work he puts in with the local Special Olympics group. Philpott is a former Gander male athlete of the year and is thankful of Gander Wings Special Olympics.

"I'm so glad I got involved with this," said Philpott. "It just makes me happy. I'm learning a lot...and enjoying the fun."

Philpott is one of those athletes who seems grateful to have what he has. Casey said the athletics star is in great shape, which all stems from his training.

"I work out with weights, run on the treadmill, run outdoors, lift weights, sit-ups and push-ups," said Philpott.

All of the weightlifting and cardiovascular work put in by Philpott and the rest of the local athletes will just be a memory once their plane touches down in London. However, when that plane lands in Newfoundland and Labrador, Philpott said success won't be determined by medals.

"I would like to win a medal," said Philpott. "But if I come back without one, it's ok. Just as long as I have fun there."

info@ganderbeacon.ca