A number of police officers from the Echuca Police Station joined members from the Law Enforcement Torch Run, known as ‘Guardians of the Flame’, and were in attendance at both the swimming and bocce competitions, guiding the Special Olympics flame through the Murray region.
Echuca Special Olympics committee member Sue Hawkins was on hand to support the 12 participants in the bocce, which was held on Sunday, March 19 at Moama Bowling Club, and said the day was a huge success.
"Tegan, a member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and an officer from Kerang came down with the flame, so they did a bit of a torch run with the athletes taking it in turns to hold the flame," Hawkins said.
The five Echuca athletes who were involved in the bocce all performed well, highlighted by the efforts of Caroline Jones, who claimed first place in division two, while teammate Katrina Delaney placed third.
In division three, Sheree Arnold claimed second, while Stephen Rees was able to claim fourth. David McHardy was the sole representative in division one, finishing in fourth position.
Hawkins said the overwhelming feeling throughout the day was one of happiness, despite a few athletes believing they were capable of better performances.
"It was very successful day, everyone was happy — well, there were a few that weren't happy, there's always a few that aren't happy, they thought they did better than they did, but all in all, everyone was happy,“ she said.
“Even though they're all friendly and everything, they still compete fiercely.”
The athletes who made the trip up from Melbourne had an enjoyable time also, said Hawkins, as they used the competition as an opportunity to mix with the local athletes they had met throughout their sporting journeys.
"We had 12 (athletes) altogether, seven came from two different regions in Melbourne, and they stayed for lunch and had a great time, too,“ Hawkins said.
"They all know each other from State Games, so they always have a great time catching up with each other, it's competition and social."
The day prior, more than 60 athletes from 10 different Special Olympics clubs lined up on the starting blocks, and while facing stiff competition, the 11 Echuca athletes who represented the club enjoyed a large amount of success, with six athletes recording a first place.
Tayla Molluso (one first, two seconds), Lyn Glaisher (one first, one second and one fourth), Ashley Stone (one first, one third and one fourth) and Kelly McIntosh (one first and two thirds) all scored a win, while Ben Portwine and Ashley Lamming each swam to two victories.
Each of the other competitors all swam hard too, as Victor Leris and Jaymes Whelan each recording two second-place finishes, as well as a third place, while Katrina Delaney (one second, one fourth, one fifth), Jeff Kinvig (one second, one third, one fourth) and Christian Leris (one second, two thirds) all took home a second-place finish as well.
The next major event for the Echuca swimmers will be the Special Olympics State Games, which are being held in Melbourne across July 1 and 2.
