published: Sunday, August 05, 2012

STARS swimmers bring home awards

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - While USA swimmer Michael Phelps is winning gold at the Olympics in London, Special STARS athletes competed in swimming events on Saturday, July 28 at the Sebring High School pool.

There were approximately 45 swimmers from Highlands County with disabilities who competed in a 25-meter lap or noodle races.

Noodle races are done in the shallow water so swimmers can build up confidence in the water and race toward a person holding the noodles.

Noodle racing was divided into two different lengths - one race was 15 meters and one was 25 meters.

In the 25-meter lap competition Nicole Lewis won first in her heat while Joe Singha and Bill Wheeler won first in their divisions.

Second-place ribbons were won by Shawn Squires, Sharon Carpenter and Amy Matthews.

Third-place winners were Greg Robinson, Angie Luft and Stephanie Travi.

Fourth-place finishers were Rob Ward, Ilana Levy and Mac Smith.

In the 15-meter noodle race, first-place winners were Herb Adkins, Katie Gibson, Ronnie Gladson, Joshua Croston and Dama Massey,.

Second-place ribbons went to Charles Hodgkinson, Minnie Sue Reid, Edrei Lopez, Patty Toepper and Penny Holder.

Third place went to Jim Kentfield, Dustin Akey, Maricel Moreno and Sarah Moore.

Fourth-place finishers were Kathy Mitchell, Jeannene Eby and Cody Crouse while Kenny Roberts won fifth.

In the 25-meter race, first-place winners were Annie Horn and Becky Anders.

Second place went to Alan Kufnowski and Larry Rivers.

Third-place winners were John Smith and Linda Decker.

Awards were presented after lunch which was served after competition.

Special STARS will be preparing for billiard competition next, which starts on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Cue Time Billiards in Sebring.

For details, call 452-1295, ext. 124.