聽In his roughly 20 years as a Special Olympics athlete, Watkins Parrish played almost every sport he could, including bowling, basketball and swimming. On Sunday, the 45-year-old Harrisonburg resident put his volleyball skills to the test during the 2018 Special Olympics Virginia鈥檚 Fall Extravaganza held at 91短视频.
鈥淚 love all the sports,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good exercise.鈥�
This year鈥檚 event was held at 91短视频 for the first time, thanks to 91短视频 volleyball and softball player聽Beck Hoskins.聽Hoskins interned with Special Olympics Virginia during the summer and worked with college leaders to move the event from Woodrow Wilson High School in Augusta County to 91短视频.
Daniel Leake, director of the Special Olympics Virginia鈥檚 Shenandoah Region, said the atmosphere makes the athletes feel included.
鈥淭hey really love being on a university campus and interacting with the college athletes,鈥� he said.
Bridgewater resident Tammy Torkelson, the area鈥檚 Special Olympics director, said the athletes were excited about the games. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see them happy,鈥� Torkelson said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e full of joy.鈥�
In addition to playing sports, Torkelson said, the area group has started a Fit 5 campaign to encourage healthy habits.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to teach a lifestyle,鈥� Torkelson said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to emphasize five bottles of water a day, five fruits and vegetables a day, and five exercises a day.鈥�
Troy Evans, 29, of Elkton, serves as a Special Olympics global messenger and travels throughout the state speaking on behalf of the organization. On Sunday, he suited up for his volleyball team, the Valley Spikers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting,鈥� Evans said 鈥渆specially with the great team and coaches I have.鈥�
Beck is my cousin, and everyone in our family are very proud of her! This does not surprise me a bit, she is simply an awesome person!