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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend July 1, 2006 Team Oregon will represent the state in basketball competition during the first National Special Olympics in Ames, Iowa. They are, from left: Julie Watson, Daniel Watson, Donald Noble, coach Judy Rupp, Matthew May, coach Paul Andrade, Eston Lindsey, Matthew Estes, Daniel Jones, and Brian Kreis. Not pictured are player Chris Jenkins and coach Bryan Dorris. (Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta) Oregon's newest team By buffy pollock for the Mail Tribune A dozen local athletes head out today for Ames, Iowa, for the first ever National Special Olympics games. Of 43 from Oregon, a dozen and a half athletes and coaches will come from Jackson County — including a nine-member basketball team, a golf player and a track-and-field competitor. Chosen from gold medalists out of last summer's state-level games, the athletes will spend eight days competing, meeting other athletes and enjoying a slew of events. Family and friends will meet at the Medford airport today for a special send-off featuring local dignitaries, gifts and a performance by Ashland Children's Musical Theatre. Bryan Dorris, Special Olympics head coach, said local athletes were honored to be representing the state in the first national event. "The athletes are very excited. They call me all the time asking questions. 'What can we bring? What can we wear?' They can't wait. I think it's just great," Dorris said. "It's just amazing that we were selected form Jackson County to represent Oregon for the basketball teams," he said. "It's an amazing opportunity that not many athletes get to experience." Athlete Kathleen Sitton, 21, of Medford, who will compete in golf during the national event, was so excited on Friday she could hardly speak a word. "The more excited she gets, the quieter she gets," said her mother, Ann Sitton. "That doesn't work real well for the rest of us. I almost wish it was over so she'd be back and we'd know what happened and she'd be able to tell us about it." Asked what she looked forward to most, Kathleen Sitton, a golf player for eight years, said, "I'm excited. It's going to be fun. I'll get to meet new people and do new things." Travis Burchette, 26, also of Medford, said he'd practiced hard for the upcoming competition. "It's going to be nice there. I've been running a long time. A very, very long time," he noted. The city of Ames plans a Fourth of July celebration for the 3,000 athletes from 30 states. Dorris said the athletes were in for a host of other activities and adventures as well. Adventure No. 1? The plane trip. "For most of our athletes, this will be their first time on a plane," said Dorris. As for the actual competition, Dorris said the athletes, ages 17 to 47, had practiced long hours and felt confident in their skills. "We've been practicing since January," he said. "We're kind of a family in a way — we spend so much time together playing. We're planning on having a great time." Competition aside, Dorris said the experience would be worth its weight in more than one kind of gold for the local champs. "It amazed me when I got into Special Olympics, that it's so far-reaching and offers so much opportunity," he said. "When they win a gold or any medal and they show you the medal, it's like, 'I did this! Look what I did!'" Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews