Special Olympics Stars
OKLAHOMA’S OWN: Oklahoma was represented well at this year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. Above, from left are coach Mark Wollmershauser, Steve Lynn, Heather Sossaman, Al Talley and coach John Seals.
DANIEL CAMERON for GTR Newspapers
Special Olympics Oklahoma took some very talented athletes to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. They returned Feb. 15 healthy and loaded with hardware. Detailed results from the competitions are located at the bottom of this story. Nearly 2,500 athletes from more than 100 countries competed at the games. The Oklahoma athletes faced some pretty stiff competition.
Steve Lynn of Edmond, Oklahoma competed in Alpine Skiing and placed 6th, 4th and 3rd place in his respective races.
Heather Sossamon from Jenks dominated in the speed skating competitions. Sossamon brought home two golds and a silver medal.
Al Talley of Broken Arrow, and also a speed skater won two bronze medals and one 5th place.
Oklahoma was also represented by Sgt. Shawn Byrne, Oklahoma City Police Department, and Chris Paynter, an Edmond Special Olympics Oklahoma Athlete at the 2009 World Winter Games. Byrne and Paynter are part of an elite team of Law Enforcement Torch Run runners, who carried the Flame of Hope across Idaho on their way to the opening ceremonies in Boise on Feb. 7. Paynter was one of only ten Special Olympics athletes from around the world to be honored to carry the Flame of Hope during the Final Leg.
RESULTS:
Steve Lynn (Edmond), Alpine Skiing
Advanced Giant Slalom, 4th place ribbon, finish time 2:12.15
Advanced Slalom, 6th place ribbon, finish time 2:11.65
Advanced SuperG, Bronze Medal, finish time: 55.01
Heather Sossamon (Jenks), Speed Skating
222M, Gold Medal, finish time :42.66
333M, Silver Medal, finish time 1:02.56
500M, Gold Medal, finish time 1:36.76
Al Talley (Broken Arrow), Speed Skating
500M, Bronze Medal, finish time 1:05.10
777M, Bronze Medal, finish time 1:57.65
1000M, 5th Place Ribbon, finish time 2:10.52
Updated 03-09-2009
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