Local athletes compete in Aquatic Special Olympics recently held at PI indoor pool

The Presque Isle Indoor Pool and the Presque Isle Recreation Department recently hosted the Aquatic Special Olympics on May 4. The energy was high during the event and smiles were abound as 80 athletes from around the county participated in the annual event.
    The athletes in the events were registered from many schools and local agencies including Presque Isle High School, Caribou High School, Limestone School Systems, Hodgdon schools, Adult Multiple Alternative Center, Work Opportunity Center, Work Activity Center, Opportunity     Training Center, Personal Service of Aroostook, St. John Valley Associates and even a few independent swimmers.
Individuals swimmers who placed first in 50-yards freestyle included: Justin Akerson (C), Jason Sprague (C), Reno Little (C), Sarah Knowles (WOC), Patty Searles (AMAC), Hillary Griffen (PIHS), Ryan Hanson (WOC), Jamie Kemper (WOC), Robbie York (WOC) and Reno Young (AMAC).
Second-place swimmers were Patrick Burns(C), Ivan Johnson (WOC), Rebecca Dillenbeck(L), Derek Mueller(SJVA) and Brad Cyr (PI).
Third-place winners were Chad McAdam (WOC) and Stephanie Hanson (WOC).
Swimmers who placed first in 25-yards freestyle were: Justin Akerson (C), Jason Sprague (L), Derek Mueller (SJVA), Brad Cyr (PI), Jamie Kemper (WOC), Robbie York (WOC), Craig Dufour (SJVA), Ivan Johnson (WOC) and Patty Searle (AMAC).
Second-place swimmers were: Patrick Burns (C), Reno Little (C), Stephanie Hanson (WOC), Ryan Hanson (WOC), Sandra Cyr (AMAC), Reno Young (AMAC), Sarah Knowles (WOC) and Michele Dyer (WOC).
Third-place winners: Rebecca Dillenbeck (L) and Chad McAdam (WOC).
Swimmers who placed first in 25-yards backstroke were Ryan Hanson (WOC), Brad Cyr (PI), Jason Sprague (L), Jamie Kemper (WOC), Reno Little (C), Sarah Knowles (WOC), Craig Dufour( SJVA), and Robbie York (WOC).
Swimmers who placed second in 25-yards backstroke were: Stephanie Hanson (WOC), Chad McAdam (WOC), Rebecca Dillenbeck (L), Ivan Johnson (WOC), Patty Searles (AMAC), Michelle Dyer (WOC) and Sandra Cyr (AMAC).
Hillary Griffin (PIHS) placed first in 25-yards butterfly and breaststroke.
Swimmers who placed first in 25-yards flipper race were: Robert Doucette (C), Justin Gauvin (C), and Brandon Davis. Placing second in the 25-yard flippers race were Alex Sprague (L), Adam Bubar (WOC), and Milford Helton (OTC). Devon LaCasse took home third place.
Swimmers who placed first in 25-yards floatation were: Devon LaCasse (L), Milford Helton (OTC) and Joe Betts (OTC). Second-place winners were Alex Sprague (C) and Justin Gauvin (C). Third-place winners were Aaron Donnelly (C) and Adam Bubar (WOC).
Swimmers in 10-yards assisted swim were: Joey Cyr (C), Zachery Pelkey (L), Scott Long (C), Beatrice Akerson (C), Marissa Keaton (C), Kevin Bolton (L), Nikki Farley (C), and Cassandra Byrd (OTC).
Second-place swimmers were: Daniel Ross (C), Shaine Willette( C), Branwen Baker (L), Rebekah Taylor (C), Daniel Dillenbeck (L) and Joshua Steggall (C). Dustin Cyr (OTC) and Bryant Kernan (C) placed third.
Adapted Swim first-place winners were: Robert Doucette(C), Branwen Baker (L), Shaine Willette, Zachery Pelkey (L), Joshua Price (AMAC), Brian Sterns (OTC) and Jessica Simonds (OTC). Second-place winners were: Joey Cyr (C), Kevin Bolton (L) and Rosa Houlton (OTC).
First place water walkers were Marissa Keaton (C), Rebekah Taylor (C), Nikki Farley (C), Cassandra Byrd (OTC), Scott Blanchard (WAC), Beatrice Akerson (C), Justin Holman (OTC), Jessica Simonds (OTC), Ben McGlinn (AMAC), Normand Corriveau (SJVA) and Dale Guerette (SJVA).
Second place walkers were: Derek Barnes (SAD 70), Daniel Dillenbeck (L), Joshua Steggall (C), Judy Drury (WOC), Scott Long (C), Brad Charlton (OTC), Kevin Stubbs (C), Brian Sterns (OTC) and Dan Gosline (PSA). Third-place water walkers were Bryant Kernan (C) and Chris Goldsmith (OTC).
First-place swimmers in 10-yards adapted swim were: Justin Holman (OTC), Derek Barnes (SAD 70), Joshua Price (AMAC), Chris Goldsmith (OTC), Norman Corriveau (SJVA), Judy Drury (WOC) and Dan Gosline (PSA). Brad Charlton (OTC) and Dale Guerette (SJVA) placed second.
The following schools provided helper to work at the meet: Presque Isle Varsity Swim team, Caribou Varsity swim team, Easton and Limestone National Honor Society, physical education and athletic training students from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Maine Wardens.