Newcastle well represented at Special Olympics

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Since at least 1976, Weston County and Newcastle have been represented at the regional and state Special Olympics events by the Lane siblings — Mike, James, Gerald and Pat — and since then the team has grown and evolved. 
Today, according to Deb Hoover, the team’s coach for the past 12 years, the team is known as the Newcastle Masters and competes at several events every year. The competitions not only provide the opportunity for individuals to compete but also to socialize with people just like them, Hoover said. 
This year, the team consisted of Jacki Florey, Mike Shaw, Kristi Knight, Mike Lane, James Lane, Gerald Lane, Breann Small, George Antill and Pat Lane. The team competed in a total of 12 events at both the regional games in April and the state games in May. 
“We go every year, or at least we try to,” James Lane said. 
The Special Olympics, according to Hoover, is designed for individuals to compete in sports just like “anyone else.” The organization provides athletic opportunities for children
and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or physical disabilities.
Special Olympics holds summer and fall games, as well as a rodeo, although the local team only competes in the bowling and athletic portions of the events. 
According to the Special Olympics website, the mission is to “provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience job skills and participate in a sharing of gifts, skill and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.” 
The games were founded in 1968 and remain just as important today as when they were created, striving to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people, according to the website.
“The games give us the ability to have confidence in yourself,” Shaw said.
Mike Lane said that members of the team are able to make friends from other places and connect with like-minded people. 
“The games help you in a lot of different ways,” James said. 
The team practices an event 10 times before going to the actual games, giving its members a reason to work on physical fitness and a chance to interact with each other before the actual games. 
“The goal is to have fun and make friends,” Mike Lane said. His brother Gerald added that they also get to leave town. 
Mike made it clear, though, that going and competing to win is also very important to the team and that making friends and having fun is an added perk to bringing home medals and representing the community. 
Hoover said that the events are modeled around giving the competitors’ an opportunity to be social and not feel awkward in a social group. She said that dances and other events are scheduled during the games. 
To help fund the trips to the games, Hoover said that the team raises funds throughout the year. Pig Skin Madness is their go-to fundraiser during the fall, and they begin selling tickets to kick off the football season. 
“Newcastle Masters raises the money to get shirts, pay entrance fees, help with motel or food costs and the renting of a vehicle large enough for the team to ride together,” Hoover said. “These guys have a very limited income, and it does cost a significant amount of money to go.” 
Fundraising and preparing for the games gives the team an opportunity to work together and become a close knit group, according to Hoover. James Lane said that the team makes sure to “really get behind each other” and show the other teammates lots of support during their events. 
“Being a part of a team is awesome,” Shaw said, the rest of the team echoed his thoughts, stating that it is like an extended family.