Two locals coaching athletes at Special Olympics

Two Eastern Oregon coaches for Special Olympics are in Lincoln, Neb., this week for the U.S. National Summer Games.

Paula Moe of North Powder coaches swimming, and Doug Trice of La Grande coaches track and field.

Their team members, though, are spread across the state, so they’ve both been coaching by phone calls and e-mails.

Athletes who earn a gold medal at the regional competitions are eligible for the national competition. Their name is entered in the event, along with everyone else who earned a gold medal, and the names are chosen at random.

Coaches who desire to go to nationals write a letter explaining why they should be chosen.

“Then they look at your record as a coach, and you have to have two letters of recommendation,” Moe said.

Special Olympics Oregon will be sending 31 people to nationals — 17 athletes, five unified partners (non-Special Olympic athletes who participate), six coaches and three additional staff.

According to Special Olympics, eligible athletes must be at least 8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay, or a closely related development disability.

The first U.S. National Summer Games were in Iowa in 2006. This year’s competition is at the University of Nebraska, July 18-23. The Games are expected to bring 3,000 athletes and more than 1,000 coaches and delegates.

In downtime between events, the athletes can take advantage of free health exams, and check out the village associated with the Games.

To begin training, Moe met with her four athletes at Corvallis in April.

“I met the athletes, filmed them and worked on their strokes that weekend,” she said.

Each athlete has a coach close to home, and Moe sent each one a DVD of the swimmer’s technique.

“Most people never see themselves swimming,” she said.

(In addition to coaching swimming for the local Special Olympics, she is also a member of the master’s team B.A.S.S. — Baker Area Seasoned Swimmers.)

Several months ago she took over as program coordinator for Baker County. She’s been involved with Special Olympics for four years.

“I’ve learned so much from the athletes,” she said. “It’s the most uplifting thing — they are so positive.”

Trice also met his athletes in April, and then provided them with workouts and fitness programs.

He’s volunteered with Special Olympics for 10 years, and is now the coordinator for Union County.

Trice coached athletes at the 2006 Summer Games, and in 2007 he went to China with Team USA. Next year he’ll attend the World Games in Athens, Greece (he’ll be gone 22 days).

“It’s fun to do,” he said of his involvement. “It keeps me busy.”

Trice is a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad, but has a degree in teaching health and P.E., which relates directly to Special Olympics.

“You get the chance to ski, snowboard and be a role model,” he said.

And the athletes, who can range in age from 8 to senior citizens, are mentors for each other.

“They’re laughing, having a good time, cheering each other on,” Trice said.

Though the county programs are under Special Olympics Oregon, each must raise enough money locally to be self-sufficient and pay for uniforms, travel and rental of facilities, such as the pool and bowling alley.

That means lots of fundraisers.

But the programs also want more athletes and volunteers.

“I’m always looking for volunteers, I’m always looking for donations,” Moe said.

Donations to Special Olympics will stay local as long as the donor specifies “Baker County” or “Union County.”

More information is available by calling Moe at 541-910-0591 (but you may want to wait until she returns from the Games).

The Web site for Special Olympics Oregon is www.soor.org.