Local Special Olympics athlete wins sportsmanship award

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – A Special Olympics New Hanover County athlete was recently honored with the 2016 Robb Williams Tennis Sportsmanship Award.

Steven Smith of Burgaw received the award during the Special Olympics NC Fall Tournament in High Point on November 5.

According to a news release, Smith has participated in tennis with Special Olympics for 12 years. It says he’s not only talented, but sportsmanship is always front and center. He’s described as always encouraging his opponents and believing that he plays his best game when his opponent is also playing their best game.

Robb Williams, the namesake of the award, was a competitive tennis player for SONC. Like Smith, Williams displayed exceptional sportsmanship in every competition. He always showed the utmost respect for his opponents, coaches, teammates and officials.

After Williams passed away following a battle with cancer, his family and SONC created the award to honor his memory, his love of tennis and his value of sportsmanship.