Newport High School’s Snow Cat ski team won six medals in the Kentucky Special Olympics Winter Games held at Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
“These young people set an example for all of us as they overcome challenges that make most of our daily problems pale in comparison,” said Lisa Swanson, director of Exceptional Children for the Newport Independent Schools. “Newport is committed to helping our athletes improve their skills and persevere in all aspects of their life.”
Special Olympic Winter Games has been changing the lives of students with disabilities in Kentucky for 43 years. Newport Snow Cat Coaches Jennifer Packwood, Paul Wiggins, Aaron Sutherland, along with community coaches Jason Bomprezzi. Chris Varias, and Sharon Bresser provided one-on-one training to each of the ski team members.
Athletes competed in alpine skiing and snowshoeing events, winning two gold and four silver medals.
The gold medal winners were:
- Kelsey Turner (Beginner Giant Slalom Division F10)
- Marty Varias (Intermediate/Advanced Slalom Division M03).
This year’s silver Medal winners were:
- Autumn Ingguls (Beginner Giant Slalom F10)
- Ricky Tomlinson (Beginner Giant Slalom)
- Zachary Howard (Beginner Giant Slalom M03)
- Marty Varias (Intermediate/Advanced Giant Slalom Division M04)
Marty Varias also won gold and silver medals in last year’s winter games.
Earning participation medals were:
- Madison Ledbetter (10 M Glide and 20 M Glide)
- Chyanne Hunter (10 M Glide and 20 M Glide)
- Kelsey Turner (Beginner Slalom Division F01)
- Autumn Ingguls (Beginner Giant Slalom F01)
- Ricky Tomlinson (Beginner Slalom Division M01)
- Zachary Howard (Beginner Slalom Division M01)
Special Olympic Winter Games in Kentucky have taken place for 43 years. There were 16 delegations with more than 100 athletes from all over Kentucky participating in the three-day event.