Valley athletes bowl for Special Olympics

WASILLA — Dozens of Special Olympics athletes, both children and adults, filled the North Bowl bowling alley Tuesday evening, giving their all for the chance to qualify for state finals in November.

Bowling is the biggest sport for Mat-Su Valley Special Olympics, drawing in the largest amount of participants each year, according to Danielle Sherrer, Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community public relations and communications chair.

“It’s huge,” Sherrer said.

Bowlers that are ages 9 and above can compete in the Alaska Special Olympics. That diversity was clear to see on Tuesday. A total of 81 people of all ages signed up to compete this year.

Local competitions for Valley bowlers will wrap up on Sunday. After all the points are tallied, the top qualifiers will move onto the state competition, according to Kerri Hall, Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community bowling coach.

State finals begin Nov. 15. Hall said that 12 teams of four are going this year.

Sherrer said the beauty of bowling for the Special Olympics is that it’s very welcoming to all types of experience levels and physical abilities.

“This whole thing, it’s so amazing because nobody here sees anybody differently,” Sherrer said.

As long as they’re physically capable, they’re able to join. Several athletes bowled at their own pace with the assistance of others. One of the main reasons bowling is so popular with Valley athletes derives from this openness.

Sherrer said the athletes are very encouraging to one another. During practices, they would often cheer each other on; but now that it’s time to compete, the support is more subtle but still very much intact. She said there’s plenty of high fives going around.

“They’re kind of one big family… Even if you get a gutter ball, you’re gonna’ turn around and get a high five,” Sherrer said.

Sherrer has been volunteering with the Valley’s Special Olympics community management team for about a year now, planning local competitions and gathering people and resources to keep it going. She said that she’s made a lot of friends and memories along the way.

“It’s really rewarding,” Sherrer said.

Sherrer originally joined to support her brother-in-law. She said that he keeps beating his personal bests, and growing as an athlete and as a person.

“It’s like that for everybody… It becomes a part of their life essentially,” Sherrer said.

Hall said that she enjoys seeing so many return bowlers along with the new faces. She said that bowling essentially kicks off the fall season for Special Olympics. From bocce ball and floor hockey, to basketball and swimming, there’s a plethora of sports to choose from year round.

“There is always something going on with Special Olympics,” Hall said.

The Special Olympics are free to anyone to join, according to Hall. She said they raise funds throughout the year with passionate volunteers to make that possible. She said it’s very important for the Valley to have access to the Special Olympics.

“It teaches them a way to be a part of the team… to be able to step out of their normal, everyday life… It’s something that’s super exciting and fun to do,” Hall said. “We just ask they dedicate the time and follow through with what they want to do. Be a team player. Try your best.”

For more information about Special Olympics Alaska, visit specialolympicsalaska.org

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com