Athletes go for gold at Special Olympics

If Kindlelon Respicio wants to be in the U.S. Coast Guard, he knows he has to be a stellar swimmer.

It's a good thing the 12-year-old Yuba City boy just snagged four medals for his freestyle, relay and butterfly swimming skills at the annual Northern California Special Olympics Summer Games. One of the newest members to the Yuba-Sutter Special Olympics, "Kobie," as his friends call him, said he hopes to be an inspiration to other special needs children and adults that dreams are attainable.

"I feel like I actually achieved something," Kobie said. "Kids with special needs, they have to believe in themselves. Don't give up. Work hard."

Kobie is a high-functioning autistic, and he took longer than usual to learn to walk, ride a bike and swim — a sport he couldn't do as recently as five years ago. He was proud to take home three silvers and a gold at the summer games.

"It felt really good. The competition seems really tough," he said.

Thirteen athletes traveled to U.C. Davis to compete in the regional tournament of 670 athletes from 30 counties, and they brought home 31 medals. Yuba-Sutter has taken athletes to the state games every year since 1976.

Now that track and aquatics are over, the athletes are busy playing softball. About 75 athletes comprise five teams and are preparing for an upcoming tournament in late July.

Karen Miller, 39, has been in the Yuba-Sutter Special Olympics for years, playing softball and basketball, but this was her first time at the Summer Games. She took home two silvers and a gold medal for her 1,500-meter and 300-meter walks and a turbo javelin throw.

"My favorite part about it was competing and having fun," she said. "It's really good exercise. I was happy that I won medals but if I didn't win any medals I just go out there and try to do the best you can."

She was also happy to be able to cheer on her teammates and those on other teams.

"I go by the Special Olympics oath — let me win but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt," she said. "I just like to cheer on anybody."

She was proud to see her teammates do so well in all their events.

"It's probably because we practice a lot, have enthusiasm and have fun," she said.

Kobie was invited to Special Olympics by his friend James Patton, who's hoping to become a professional swimmer. James, 13, tied for gold in the 25- meter freestyle and a silver in the 4-by-25 relay, but said the 50-meter freestyle, in which he placed gold, is his favorite.

"You get to swim it two times instead of once, and I really like the relay with the other teammates with me, so they could be on my side and we could bring the silver and we could win," he said. "And I can't believe I got a tie with another swimmer."

James has been swimming since he was 21⁄2 and wasn't nervous for his first aquatic tournament.

"I know in myself that I am not scared because I do the 50s and the relay at Gauche sometimes," he said.

His mom, Mary Patton, is happy to see her son find such happiness and success through Special Olympics.

"(We joined) to find a sport where he could be competitive and accepted and meet new people and be happy," she said. "He loves it. We all love it ... It took a long time for us to find that right fit for him as far as sports go. This is perfect."

The great thing about the year-round program is anyone with special needs can participate, regardless of ability, and have a great time, Mary Patton said. She would like to see more young athletes get involved.

"It's a neat program to give back to those who might not have it as easy as other people and to just see the looks and expressions on their faces when they are successful," she said. "I would like to see more younger kids get involved, just to get that same feeling of being accepted and happy."

CONTACT reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4783.