Special Moments in the Special Olympics

Published 4:00 am Monday, March 1, 2004

Could the exhilaration of competition and thrill of victory ever be more sweet?

Not likely, judging by the expressions on the faces and celebratory dances of the racers during the awards ceremony at the Special Olympics Oregon 2004 Winter Games at Mount Bachelor on Sunday.

”The course was not too difficult for me,” said double gold medalist Anthony Brohard, 27, of Bend, who place first in both the men’s snowboard slalom and giant slalom first division. ”I compete almost all the time. We have a good team attitude. Everybody is happy.”

Racers at the Saturday and Sunday event earned the trip to Mount Bachelor by performing well at a qualifying event on Jan. 31 at Willamette Pass Ski Area. At Mount Bachelor, gold, silver and bronze medals were issued in men’s and women’s slalom and giant slalom for both snowboard and ski categories, with the categories split into divisions of four to five racers based on qualifying times. Saturday’s competition also included snowshoeing.

Gold medalists in each division received a congratulatory handshake from Bill Johnson, the downhill gold medalist at the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Besides the Alpine events, Nordic skiers competed in a variety of events on the cross-country trails at Mount Bachelor.

”It was fun,” said Melissa Murray, 20, of Bend after taking fourth place in the women’s 100-meter first division race on Sunday. She added that her strategy was to ”keep on gliding.”

The Alpine events had seven local skiers and four local snowboarders who might have had a bit of an edge with the home-mountain advantage.

”I would have to say so,” said their coach, Debbie Frost, of Bend. ”We’re up here every weekend. I have a great bunch of athletes. Good attitudes. Good friends.”

Skier Tiffany Heineck, 22, of Bend, added a bronze in the women’s giant slalom third division and a fourth in the slalom third division on Sunday to go with the gold medal she won in the downhill on Saturday.

”It felt good,” said Heineck of her runs on Sunday. ”It’s fun, and I like to ski.”

Also doing well Sunday was skier Roy Ritter of Bend, who took the gold in both the men’s giant slalom and the slalom ninth division.

”Great,” is how Ritter summed up the day.

Darrick Yarbrough of Bend won both the men’s ski slalom and giant slalom first division titles to claim two state titles and a pair of gold medals. Also posting two victories was Joshua Arnold of Bend, winning the men’s ski slalom and giant slalom seventh division titles.

Others posting top finishes were Eric Cain of Bend, second in the men’s ski giant slalom second division, and fourth in the men’s ski slalom second division; and Daniel McDonald of Bend, second in both the men’s ski slalom and giant slalom sixth division. Kris Maddox of Bend took second in the men’s ski giant slalom eighth division and fourth in the slalom eighth division.

”I think I did pretty well,” said Maddox, 22, after his GS run. ”It’s great skiing with friends and that kind of thing is pretty much what’s in it for me.”

Among local snowboarders, Jarrett Lent of Bend took third in the men’s giant slalom second division and fourth in the men’s slalom second division. Cody MacLaren of Bend took home the bronze in the men’s slalom second division and was fourth in the men’s giant slalom second division. And Jason Strong of Prineville was third in both the men’s slalom and giant slalom third division.

At the Nordic venue, Jennifer Pease, 26, of Milton-Freewater claimed two gold medals Sunday, winning the women’s 50-meter and 100-meter first division events.

”I like to race and have fun and have a great time,” said Pease, who began skiing in 1988 and met her husband, Art Pease, as a result. They married in 1999.

Art Pease also competed Sunday, winning the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter first division.

”We went fast, real fast,” said Art Pease, 36. ”I was passing up a few people.”

Adam Fullerton of Bend grabbed two gold medals in cross country, winning the men’s 50-meter second division as well as the 100-meter fourth division title. Also striking gold was Eric Bernabo of Bend (men’s 50-meter first division), Kristel Wieglenda of Bend (women’s 1-kilometer third division), Blake Walker of Bend (men’s 1-kilometer second division), Stanley Lee of Redmond (men’s 1-kilometer fifth division), and Joe Campagna of Bend (men’s 100-meter third division).

Picking up silver medals were Alana MacKenzie of Bend (women’s 100-meter first division), Cameron Moore of Bend (men’s 50-meter second division and men’s 100-meter fourth division), Bernabo (men’s 100-meter second division), and Kori Barnett of Bend (women’s 50-meter first division).

Bronze medals were collected by Barnett (women’s 100-meter first division); Pete Jackson of Bend (men’s 3-kilometer second division); Guy Smith of Bend (men’s 50-meter first division and men’s 100-meter second division); and Mathew Wilson of Bend (men’s 100-meter third division).

Like many visitors to Central Oregon, Lincoln Haverland of Eugene – who helped his 1-kilometer relay team to second place – enjoyed his day at the mountain.

”It’s fun competing against other skiers and I’ve enjoyed everyone and the good weather we’ve had,” he said.

Keith Ridler can be contacted at 383-0393 or kridler@bendbulletin.com.