Special Olympics gymnastics program thrives in Easley

Twenty-one athletes from Foothills Gymnastics and Cheer Center in Easley competed in the South Carolina Special Olympics Summer Games in May at Fort Jackson in Columbia.

“There are multiple sports besides gymnastics, such as bowling, badminton, aquatics, etc.,” said program director Penny Crocker. “Other than our gym, a gym out of Columbia is the only gym that offers Special Olympics at a competitive level in the state.”

The program has grown substantially since its inception 10 years ago, Crocker said.

“We’ve gone from one kid at the start of the program to 50 kids,” Crocker said. “We have athletes that range from 3 to 30 years old.

“Gymnastics is a technical sport. Overall, it’s pretty difficult, but it’s awesome. The athletes’ therapists are amazed by what they can do. These kids have occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. Then they come to gymnastics and they get it all. They get everything that they would get from therapy, plus they are making friends and having a blast doing it.”

The program focuses specifically on artistic gymnastics. Female athletes compete in the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Male athletes compete in floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar.

“We have groups that come on Wednesday mornings from Liberty High School, Pickens High School, Pickens County board of disabilities and special needs and West Greenville Alternative School,” said Crocker. “The athletes that don’t come with the schools come on Saturday morning.”

In order to participate in the program, an athlete must have an intellectual disability, which, according to specialolympics.org, is “a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills.”

Crocker said the doors are always open to kids and adults who are interested in volunteering or taking part in the program.

“The athletes seem to have fun once they walk in the doors,” Crocker said. “That is because we have great volunteers and great gym buddies who are youth volunteers that we pair with the athletes. The volunteers and the gym buddies get as much out of it as the athletes. It is a family atmosphere. Volunteers are always welcomed and appreciated.”

For more information, contact Penny Crocker at (864) 855-9660.