CARSTAIRS-DIDSBURY - Swimmers Wesley Wilks from Didsbury and Sarah Schmick from Carstairs both came home with a big haul of medals from the recent Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, N. S.
The two represented their respective hometowns and the province very well at the games, which were held from July 29 to Aug. 4.
In total, there were over 900 athletes competing in nine sports at the games: athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming, soccer and softball.
Wilks won gold in the 200 metre breaststroke and bronzes in the 200 metre backstroke, 200 metre butterfly and 100 metre breaststroke. He also finished fifth in the 200 metre individual medley and sixth in the 200 metre freestyle.
During the season, Wilks swims with the Olds Special Olympics managed by Karen Mengersen, and coached by Lynn Lewis and Courtenay Poland. He also trains with other high performance swimmers with Olds Rogue Racing run by Clint Stevens. He has been swimming competitively for eight years.
The 17-year-old Didsbury High School student told the Gazette that the games were intense but very enjoyable.
"It was very well done," said Wilks. "It was fun to be there. It was fun because the competition had people there from all over the country. There were a lot of fast guys there. It was a lot of fun."
Wilks knew all the swimmers from Alberta as well as some from the surrounding provinces that he had previously competed against.
"I knew our Alberta guys, a couple from B.C., a few from Ontario, but for the rest of them I didn't know what I was up against," he said. "It was an amazing competition with so many people. It was great to race against some of the fastest swimmers in Canada."
Despite not knowing all the competitors going into the games, Wilks was confident in his ability.
Wilks was pleased with his overall results.
Wilks said he got to see some of the track competition but other than that he and his teammates had a pretty strict, tight regimen during the games and didn't have a lot of extra time.
"We had a pretty rigid schedule," he said. "We had to wake up, get breakfast, go to competition. We maybe had an hour in the afternoon to nap and then it was back for more competition and medals."
Schmick picked up silvers in the 100 metre butterfly, 100 metre individual medley and 200 metre backstroke. She also got bronze in the 400 metre freestyle and 25 metre butterfly and fifth in the 200 metre individual medley.
During the season, Schmick swims with Special Olympics Airdrie and Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club. The 23-year-old graduated from Hugh Sutherland School in 2013 and has been swimming with Special Olympics for about 10 years and club swimming for eight.
Schmick said that the competition was very busy but enjoyable.
"They were fun," said Schmick. "I like Antigonish. There were lots of people. They were cheering and clapping. The food was delicious. The opening ceremonies were great."
Schmick said she enjoyed getting to meet competitors from other provinces.
"They were very nice," she said. "They are fast."
Schmick said she was happy with her results at the games.
"I am proud of myself" she said. "It was hard but fun. I swam fast. I raced with my friends."
Schmick said she is grateful for those who supported her.
