Sun Valley Property News, February 2014
Going For Gold
by Sheridan Brett
My car says nine degrees. I’m waiting in the Croy Nordic Center parking lot in Hailey (heater on high and Miley Cyrus on the radio), and I can’t turn back once Mike Treshow, Nordic Head Coach for the Special Olympics team, pulls up beside me. I am reciting my ‘be warm’ mantra: “It’s not that cold. It’s not that cold. It’s not that cold…”
“This is nothing,” chirps Mike as he hops out of the car. “Last year we had a few weeks in a row slow zero.” An eagle zooms overhead, and I take it as an omen to suck it up and fly with the team. Snow is on the light side so hiking is the name of the training-game on this fine January morning. Practice starts promptly at 9:30am. “Grant usually likes to sleep in,” Reggie Swindle, one proud mother and Board Member of Higher Ground, the organization that supports our local Special Olympics team, tells me, “but he has no problem getting up for Nordic practice. An early wakeup call followed by blueberry pancakes and Grant is ready for anything! Oh, and we always end with hot chocolate.”
We march on while I dream of the possibility of a snack and warm libation at the end of the road, and Reggie indulges me with more stories from Grant’s Special Olympics Events from years past. “I’m always proud when Grant receives a medal! But the most emotional and rewarding moment for me is watching Grant march in with his team during the Opening Ceremonies. Being a member of a team is such a positive, esteem-building experience, and Grant always returns home so proud of himself.”
Grant has been competing with Special Olympics since he was young and he just celebrated his 27th birthday. Alpine is his event of choice this season, but he still works out at Nordic practice with his best friends and teammates. “I’m getting better at Nordic skiing, but Alpine is my favorite,” he says. Another fun fact about Grant: he is a huge classic horror film buff, counting House of Wax and Bride of Frankenstein among his favorites.
The Special Olympics Winter State Games are just around the corner on March 1 and 2, and Higher Ground is proud to be hosting the games this year here in Sun Valley. As the athletes prepare with a gym schedule and plenty of skiing, the Higher Ground staff and volunteers are usy making sure this is a Winter Games that Special Olympics Idaho will remember. Over 300 athletes and their families will participate this year, it takes the collaborative effort of Higher Ground working closely with community businesses and organizations like the Sun Valley Company, YMCA, Air St. Luke’s, and top-notch volunteers.
Dollar Mountain, the Sun Valley Nordic Center, and Wood River High School are the locations respectively for the Alpine, Nordic and Floor Hockey Competitions. Opey Freedle, Director of Sports and Training at Special Olympics Idaho, said. “At State Games, Idaho athletes have the opportunity to showcase what they have trained hard all season to do, show their community and their state that they are brave and courageous athletes willing to do their personal beset to achieve the Gold. From State Games, athletes qualify to go on to USA Games and World Games. It is their opportunity to meet like-minded athletes, to compete together, and build a community of friends from across the state.”
As we finish up our hike, I have a hankering to stay in the cold a bit longer to talk. Even though hiking is technically more of a leg exercise, my abs ache because in that last hour I have laughed a lot. Grant has an amazing moose call and my new friend Thomas is great at the funky chicken. It is no wonder Higher Ground attracts long-term and dedicated volunteers like Mike, their fearless leader and coach. There is just something about these amazing athletes that puts a hop in your step. They battle adversity everyday with humor, wisdom and courage. I can’t wait to see them again next week (forget the cold, this was too much fun) or to watch them compete on Mare 1 and 2. Let’s GO FOR GOLD!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: JEFF RUST
Owner of Elevate Recruiting Group in Ketchum, Jeff Rust started volunteering for Higher Ground a few years ago when he was introduced to the organization through a board member, and has coached the Alpine Special Olympics team for three years. Starting a company initiative, his whole office now closes up shop on Wednesday afternoons in the winter to ski with the team. Of the athletes Jeff says, “Their spirit is infectious. They appreciate everything we take for granted. Volunteering is an opportunity for us to give back to our community and bond as a group… and has also enhanced company culture. My favorite part is the friendship that develops with the athletes, watching them grow in all aspects of life. They not only become better skiers by the end of the year… their new sense of confidence is also evident. I can speak for all volunteers — these athletes give more to us than we can ever give to them.”
MORE ON HIGHER GROUND
Most people are familiar with Higher Ground (HG) for its amazing Military Program, recognized as on e of the nation’s premier rehabilitation programs by veteran organizations and the Department of Defense. What they may be less aware of are the organization’s ongoing recreational therapy programs swerving locals of varying physical and cognitive ability levels, as well as HG’s year-round support of the Special Olympics teams. This includes weekly practices, workouts, recreational activities, camps and other peer hangouts. Higher Ground fosters independence and works in conjunction with therapists, teachers, and parents to achieve maximum success.
MARK IT!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY
7pm - Regionals Opening Ceremonies at WRHS Gym
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
9am - Floor Hockey at WRHS Gym
10am - Nordic/Snowshoe event at SV Nordic Center
10am - Alpine/Snowboarding at Dollar Mountain
2pm - Award Ceremonies at venues
7pm - Closing Ceremonies at WRHS Gym
