Momentum’s swim team for the state Special Olympics Meet held at Bates College on April 27 is pictured. In back from the left are Raiden Thorndell of Harrison, Elizabeth Weeks of Naples, Levi Akers of Denmark, Brian Fillion of Norway and Jeannine Moody of Waterford; center row, James Whitman of East Stoneham, Stacy Atter of Oxford, Misty Welch of Paris and Sandra Tracy of Casco; front, Kristen Chase of Naples.

Team Momentum makes a big splash

LEWISTON – Bates College hosted the Special Olympics Maine, State Swim Meet on April 27. Casco-based agency, Momentum Inc., supported a successful swim team at the event.

Team Momentum included 11 athletes, who participated in eight weeks of training at Colonial Mast Pool in Naples, required by Maine Special Olympics as a prerequisite for the event.

The team brought home the following medals: gold and bronze for the 100-yard freestyle relay races; Brian Fillion of Norway, a bronze medal for the 25-yard freestyle; Levi Akers of Denmark, Misti Welch of Hiram and Elizabeth Weeks of Naples, gold, silver and bronze, respectively, for the 25-yard backstroke; and Sandra Tracy of Casco and Levi Akers, silver and bronze, respectively, for the 50-yard freestyle. All other swimmers won ribbons in their races. Jerry Cote of South Paris trained for eight weeks with the team, but due to illness, was unable to compete.

Momentum coaches were Lori Oliver, associate director; Mary Sanborn, program administrator; and Carol Dilkes, direct service professional. Rhonda Lausier was Momentum’s Special Olympics coordinator.

Richard Cirillo and Debbi Fanning of Bridgton, local volunteer coaches, guided the team for the second year in a row. The Momentum Special Olympics team does many fund raisers during the year, which helped to purchase bathing suits and coaches uniforms.