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Cape Region athletes compete in Special Olympics USA Games

Event is about more than just winning medals
July 13, 2018

While Ginger Shaud was trying to explain that she preferred to push off in the pool rather than dive off the block, the other competitors had already jumped in. 

Instead of getting discouraged, Shaud slipped into the pool, pushed off and swam past all the other competing athletes to win the 200-meter freestyle race for one of her two gold medals at the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle July 1-6.

“During the competitions, you’re pretty much screaming your head off,” said Karen Shaud, Ginger’s mother. “And just to see them stand up there and get their medals, it’ll bring tears to your eyes.”

Ginger’s father Jim Deakyne said he’s seen the kind of determined mentality Ginger showed while racing in the 200-meter freestyle from past instances. Deakyne has often reassured Ginger when she’s doing new or unfamiliar things with the simple phrase, “I wouldn’t ask you to do something that I don’t already know you can do” – a phrase Deakyne learned decades years ago while learning how to play the trumpet.

Ginger, of Rehoboth, led the Delaware athletes with the state flag in the opening ceremonies and was one of four local athletes who competed in the national games in Seattle. Reggie Miller joined Ginger representing Rehoboth, while Antonio Bowe and Sasha Hudson made the trip from Milford and Millsboro, respectively.  

Collectively, the four athletes garnered an outstanding five golds, four silvers and two bronzes. Still, they learned a lot more during the trip than just how to win.

“It was a great experience,” Karen said. “I think the athletes there learned a lot there that they would never have the opportunity to learn anywhere else because they have to be pretty independent, as they’re living out of a suitcase and they went to a lot of different places.” 

The Delaware athletes were able to spend time doing activities together outside the competition, such as attending a Seattle Mariners game, taking a duck boat tour, going to a Michael Phelps-sponsored barbecue and visiting Chinatown for Ginger’s favorite noodles. 

With three medals overall, Ginger experienced a successful third major tournament of her Special Olympics career. She also participated in the world games in Los Angeles and nationals in Princeton, N.J., while just 21. 

Bowe and Miller, both Special Olympics veterans, also enjoyed the trip. Bowe, the Special Olympics Delaware Athlete of the Year in 1994, still competes at a high level in the track and field events, while Miller traded his 1995 World Games sport of basketball for bocce this year. 

“It was a lot of fun,” Miller said emphatically about the trip as a whole.

While both these athletes already know the kind of independence necessary at these tournaments, they continue cultivating friendships with their fellow competitors. Miller became friendly with his roommate, Gene Giuliani, as well as Laura Kelly and Nicole Rudolph, natives of Newark and Middletown. 

“The great thing about Delaware, as opposed to some of these bigger states like California, is that these friendships formed over a long trip like Seattle can continue,” said Jon Buzby, Special Olympics director of media relations. “As a smaller state, these athletes get the chance to see each other at more events before the end of the summer instead of staying in touch over text.” 

For Sasha Hudson, friendships weren’t the only thing he took back from Seattle. As a regular on local radio stations, Hudson frequently promotes and advocates for upcoming events during the “Special Olympics Sports Minute.” When Hudson saw ESPN E:60 host Marty Smith, he didn’t hesitate to get a picture and fulfill his dream of meeting a professional sportscaster.

“That was a dream come true for my son,” said track and field coach Rob Bailey, Hudson’s father, who said it was an experience of a lifetime for him, both as a father and a coach, to watch his son reach his goals and win a gold medal.

“All the focus is on the athletes, but it wouldn’t be possible without the coaches too,” Buzby said. “They took time off from work, were away from their families and vacations to give an experience of a lifetime for these athletes. We couldn’t thank them enough.” 

The top-level coaching helped the athletes set personal records.

“The coach really inspires them to go above and beyond,” Karen said of swimming coach Michelle Goldstein. “I mean, most of their times were better out there than they were here, and I think they were mostly doing it because the coach was so inspirational.”

“They’re just so awesome,” said Goldstein, who’s been coaching Special Olympics swimmers with the Wilmington Wizards since 2010. “They make me a better person every day and inspire me that I can do anything I can set my mind to … If I can have an ounce of what they have, then you know I’m doing something right.”

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