SPORTS

Cleveland State swim teams to host Special Olympics clinic at Busbey

BY NICK CAMINO

Cleveland State’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams open their 2009-2010 seasons Friday, Oct. 9 at Notre Dame’s Dennis Stark Relays in South Bend, Ind. The very next day the CSU squads will welcome the Summit County Special Olympics swim team for a unique set of swimming lessons at Busbey Natatorium.

The teams are very excited for this opportunity, head coach Wally Morton said.

“I am very proud of the teams for organizing this event,” Morton said. “The program combines our expertise in the area that we know best, along with helping others who will truly appreciate our assistance to help them compete at their best in the state championships in December.”

The clinic will have CSU swimmers and divers instructing members of the Summit County Special Olympics Swim Team, teaching many different aspects of swimming, including kicks, strokes and turns.

The Vikings swimmers will also give lessons on the four different types of strokes and proper techniques on turns.

This clinic is an event the team is excited to take part in, senior Vikings swimmer Brittany McCann said.

“I have been involved with the Special Olympics since I was a freshman in high school and I wanted to find a way to help out in college,” McCann explained. “I am hoping that from this clinic, the Summit County team will be able to strengthen their technique and help their team perform better at their state qualifier meet.”

“I also hope that our team will gain a sense of pride in themselves for doing such a good thing for other people.”

A total of 30 swimmers make up the Summit County Special Olympics Swim Team ranging from ages 18-30 years old.

Following the clinic, the men’s and women’s teams resume competition with the women traveling to Loretto, Penn. to take on St. Francis and the men hosting Wisconsin-Green Bay on Oct. 24 at Busbey Natatorium.