Special Olympic athletes go head-to-head in the pool

It was head-to-head competition for some Special Olympic athletes Tuesday. One hundred thirty high school and college athletes showed off their stuff by taking a dip in the pool. It was part of the annual Special Olympics competition at the YMCA in Wilmington.

Thirteen schools were represented from New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Tough competition between schools gave each student with disabilities the chance to be equal in the pool.

Special Olympics coordinator Dot Lee said, “Our athletes are pumped. They’ve trained hard, they are doing things they have never done before and just watching them swim and be so proud of themselves is wonderful.”

Students have been training since October to participate in the backstroke, freestyle and relay competition.