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Pirate pride, joy at Special Olympic state competition

Issue Date: 5/25/2016
Last Updated: 6/2/2016 2:27:29 PM | By Kent Luetzen  

POLSON – Putting forth their best efforts, the Polson Pirates participated in track, swimming, golf, and bocce ball at the State Special Olympics. The games took place in Missoula May 17-20, where athletes from all over Montana gathered to compete for personal bests. 

Assistant Coach Mel Butler was filled with pride after watching the athletes cross the finish line during the track and field portion of the Games. 

“When athletes cross the finish line they do not stop and become sad, they do not run to their coaches and cry, they do not sit on the sidelines and feel bad because they did not finish in a higher place,” Butler said. “Instead as the athletes cross the finish line they run to their opponents, give them hugs, shake their hands, and tell them they did a wonderful job.”

One moment in particular that Butler and Head Coach Kris Kelly felt was a highlight was when one of the older athletes, Aiden Finley, knew that he could easily beat his competition but instead of winning, he found joy in letting one of his younger teammates take home the first place medal.

“He stopped right before the finish line so the three athletes could cross and medal,” Kelly said. “He chose to take fourth place and allow the glory to go everyone else.”

Butler was impressed with Finley’s ability to be a role model for the younger athletes.

“Athletes will graciously give up being a champion so that others may experience and enjoy ultimate victory,” Butler said. “As one athlete has told me in the past, ‘sometimes there are more important things in life than getting a gold medal.’”

Kelly also enjoyed cheering on freshman Rakeena Caye, who finished first in the 15-meter unassisted swim and second in the 25-meter freestyle. 

“Rakeena swam so hard and fast,” Kelly said. “She actually swam the freestyle using the correct stroke the entire way down the pool.”

Butler and Kelly were excited to see their athletes overcoming fears and obstacles. The growth from the start of the year to the end is immense, according to Butler. 

“As a coach we see athletes overcome obstacles every day that most people take for granted,” Butler said. “You may have an athlete who can barely walk due to pain, but at the Special Olympics those athletes overcome those obstacles to be a part of something great.”

Not only do they find it rewarding, Butler and Kelly know how important it is for students to feel like they are a part of something. 

“I love coaching Special Olympics because for the majority of Special Education students this is the only sport they will compete in,” Kelly said. “It allows them to have equal standing within the school system.”

Butler and Kelly have more than just a coaching relationship with these students, they have family members that compete in the Games. Kelly has a daughter, Kiya Kelly, and Butler has a brother, Christopher Alexander, that they cheer on during the Special Olympics. Butler wrote a testimonial about her experience at the Special Olympics and it included a moving story about her brother. 

“At last year’s games, my brother was competing in the 1500 meter run, which is an event he had never competed in before. He gave it his all, but still was the last to cross the finish line,” Butler wrote. “As he rounded the last turn on the last lap, a sea of people followed. His coach and helpers were running beside him on the infield while police officers, emergency medical personnel, and even other teams and coaches ran behind him. Even his own opponents ran with him. It was a magical moment. At the Special Olympics you will never see an athlete cry. The only tears are from the parents and the coaches because the pride they have in their athletes is overwhelming.”

The Games are more than just a place to get a gold medal for the Polson Pirates, it is a healthy environment that allows student athletes to create friendships and memories, according to Kelly. 

“They are an incredible group of students who have bonded in so many ways and have all become life long friends through these experiences,” Kelly said. “Coaching high school students has been amazing as once you get them over their fear, they can accomplish anything.”

Special Olympics Montana State Games 2016 Results

John Bakerstreet

Bocce Ball Doubles – 2nd

Track and Field 50 M Dash – 2nd

Track and Field 100 M Dash – 1st

Rakeena Caye

Aquatics 25 M Freestyle – 2nd

Aquatics 15 M Unassisted Swim – 1st

Track and Field 50 M Dash - 2nd

Track and Field 100 M Dash – 1st

Fayth Fallat-Loveless

Aquatics 15 M Flotation Race – 2nd 

Aquatics 15 M Walk – 2nd

Track and Field 10 M Assisted Walk – 1st 

Track and Field 25 M Assisted Walk – 2nd 

Rochelle Farnsworth

Aquatics 25 M Flotation – 2nd 

Aquatics 15 M Unassisted Swim – 3rd 

Track and Field 50 M Dash – 1st 

Track and Field 100 M Dash – 1st 

Aiden Finley

Aquatics 50 M Backstroke – 2nd 

Aquatics 50 M Freestyle – 3rd 

Track and Field 50 M Dash – 3rd 

Track and Field 100 M Dash – 4th 

Chance Hoover

Bocce Ball Doubles – 2nd 

Track and Field 50 M Dash – 2nd 

Track and Field 100 M Walk – 2nd 

Dothan Stene

Aquatics 50 M Backstroke – 3rd 

Aquatics 50 M Freestyle – 3rd 

Track and Field 200 M Dash – 5th 

Christopher Alexander

Bocce Ball Doubles – 4th 

Track and Field 800 M Run - 5th 

Track and Field 1500 M Run – 3rd 

Robert “Robbie” Hayes

9 Hole Golf – 2nd 

Aquatics 25 M Freestyle – 1st

Aquatics 50 M Freestyle – 2nd

Kiya Kelly

Aquatics 10 m Assisted Swim – 2nd 

Aquatics 15 m Flotation Race – 4th 

Track and Field 10 m Assisted Walk – 2nd 

Track and Field 25 M Assisted Walk – 2nd 

Paul Nield

Bocce Ball Doubles – 4th 

Track and Field 200 M Dash – 5th 

Track and Field 100 M Dash – 3rd 

Middle School:

Kyler Gage 

Track and Field 100 m Dash – 2nd

Track and Field 50 M Dash – 3rd

Martin Schlensker – 

Aquatics 25 m Freestyle – 4th 

Aquatics 15 M Assisted Swim – 4th

Track and Field 100 m Dash – 3rd

Track and Field 50 m Dash – 1st