Video: Special Olympics Athletes Bring Crown to Loudoun

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Monday, March 17, 2008

Eighteen-year-old Jamie Spier has been a fixture at Loudoun County High School's basketball games, watching from the sidelines. He's worked as a team manager and cheered as a devoted fan.

This weekend, however, the spotlight was on him.

His effort as a member of the Bobcats helped his team bring a state championship to Loudoun on Saturday, clinching a second-straight title in the Special Olympics Virginia Basketball Championships.

“I'm really proud of everyone. We put like 100 percent effort all season,” he said as relatives and players celebrated on the court. “It went really well, and I'm just surprised.”

More than 700 athletes participated in the competition in Stafford, Va.

The Bobcats and Terminators both represented Loudoun in the competition. The Terminators placed second in their division, nearly making a dramatic comeback to win a state title.

Video: Loudoun County Bobcats Win Title at Special Olympics

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Terminators coach Dan Dillon said athletes look forward to the competition each year, not only for the higher level of competition but also for the opportunity to represent their home area.

“It brings us together as a group when we're out here representing Loudoun County in the rest of the state, and I think everybody takes a certain amount of pride in that,” he said.

Other Bobcat members include Sasha Kuhn, Blake Sloan, Jared Leary, Tracy Caynor and Ashley Lyddane.

Members of the Terminators are Matt Sixma, Joe Downs, Lance Gearing, Warren Carter, Tim Potts, Tana Olson and Amy Loudenback.

Tagged: basketball, special education, sports

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