Wasilla woman swims to bronze

MAT-SU — When Melissa Adams was selected to compete in the Special Olympics World Games, she called it the chance of a lifetime. Since arriving in Athens, Greece, the 28-year-old Wasilla woman has made the most of her opportunity.

Adams, one of three athletes representing Alaska, earned a bronze medal during the Special Olympics World Games.

Adams, a swimmer, finished third in the 25-meter backstroke Friday to earn her bronze medal. She clocked a time of 26.45 seconds in the event, finishing just less than two seconds off the pace of first-place Cristiellen deSouza of Brazil. Adams was also one of two members of Team USA to finish in the top four. Teammate Megan Dyer was fourth at 27.14.

Adams qualified in three events, and is also competing in the 50-meter freestyle and 50 freestyle relay. Earlier in the week, Adams posted a fifth-place finish in the 50 freestyle. Her time of 57.39 was exactly one second off of the third-place time of 56.39, notched by Bisham Nadia of Singapore.

Both Adams and her twin sister, Melony, are longtime Special Olympics athletes. Both were born as micro preemies. Melissa weighed less than 2 pounds, with Melony weighing just a few ounces more. Both have also dealt with their fair share of health issues and disabilities. Melissa is deaf and communicates with sign language.

“This is a big deal because it’s the first time I’ve been out of the U.S. before,” Adams signed during an interview with the Frontiersman before she left. “And because it’s my first time competing in the World Games.”

Adams has participated in a variety of sports, including bowling, swimming, golf, floor hockey and speed skating.

She is one of three Alaskans and among 7,000 Special Olympics athletes in Greece completing in the World Games, which concludes Monday. Jan Pendelton of Anchorage is competing in gymnastics and Christopher Kavanaugh of Kodiak is a powerlifter.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.