Torch Run ignites preparation for State Summer Games in Billings

On Thursday morning in Malta, members of the Malta Opportunities, Inc., were graced with wonderful spring weather as they made their way down Central Ave. to kick off the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Vanessa Sheehan led the walk by carrying the Flame of Hope, starting at CARQUEST Auto Parts and proceeding to the West end, the first time she had been at the front of the procession.

"I was kind of nervous and tried not to run into stuff," she said. She said that she appreciated the Phillips County Sheriff's for leading the way for her with a police escort.

The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run is to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics Movement worldwide, according to the event's website. The run has 16 starting points around the state of Montana with hundreds of people carrying the Flame of Hope over 2,400 miles across the state before ending at the State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies which is to be held in Billings this year.

The 2014 State Summer Games for the Special Olympics is to start on Tuesday, May 13 and run until Friday, May 16. The games will be centered at Rocky Mountain College – 1511 Ploy Drive -- and then special events will be held at the MetraPark – 308 6th Ave. North – and across Billings and the surrounding areas.

More than 1,000 athletes, and over 80 teams, from across the state of Montana will compete at the State Summer Games to compete in 13 different sports, many of which the Malta athletes will compete in.

"I'm going to be in three events," said Sheehan. "Bowling, softball throw and the 50-meter run."

Sheehan said that of the three events she will compete in while at the State Summer Games, running is her favorite.

"They gave me a new nickname," she said. "They call me 'Turbo'."

She said that at past State Summer Games that the running events has been where she has found the most success and that she feels secure that she will live up to the new moniker.

The Bowling events, which start at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, will take place at Sunset Bowling, located at 1625 Central Avenue (406-206-5066.) The softball events will be held on the RMC campus at the Practice Fields and start at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and will take place at Laurel High School – 203 East 8th Street, Laurel Mont., which is about an 18-miles and a 30 minute drive from the RMC campus.

Tia Hess will be representing Malta at the State Summer Games in the 100-meter dash. Hess said that she competed in the event last year and that she did very well.

"I like running in that event because it is fun," she said. "I'm usually in front of all the people because I am fast and that is my goal this time."

Hess will also be competing in the softball throw and bowling.

Annie Jefferson will also be competing in running, bowling and the softball throw.

"Bowling is my favorite," she said. "I do pretty well and I get strikes and spares."

Jack Stenswick, who said when he is not competing at the Special Olympics that he enjoys watching NASCAR, will be competing in the bowling, walking events and the softball throw.

"I like the bowling best," he said, adding that he and his teammates practice for the event in Havre during their off time from working at Malta Opportunities, Inc.

Don Nevrivy, Executive Director at Malta Opportunities, Inc., said that this year there will be 13 athletes from Malta, as well as four volunteer coaches, will make the trip to the Summer Games in Billings. He said that Malta Opportunities, Inc., has been open for over 20 years and that in each of those years a team from Malta had participated in the State Summer Games.

Nevrivy said that the Regional Meet, in which athletes compete in order to advance to the State Summer Games, was recently held in Havre and that all 13 Malta athletes did an exceptional job and that the preliminary meet.

"But it's really not about one event," he said. "It's about being able to go there and participate and get a medal around your neck."

The Montana State Summer Games started in 1970. Since then, new activities and celebrations have been added each year. Last year the games saw over 2,500 athletes, family members, coaches and volunteers participate in the closing games celebration Carnival and Dance. Over 500 law enforcement officers carry the Flame of Hope 2,000 miles across the state of Montana to kick off the games and over 200 sponsors give their time and talent to the events.

"It seems like you never have a day like the one yesterday," said Nevrivy. "Usually it is cold and raining and the wind is blowing 30-miles an hour. It was a great day yesterday."

The Malta Athletes will be practicing at the Mustang Football Field on Friday starting at 2:30 p.m. in preparation for the four day event in Billings.