Dive in: New season for Special Olympics Olds and District swimmers starts this month

Special Olympics Olds and District athletes jump into the pool to begin their swimming season on September 27th.

Swimming Coach Teena Trick-Wilks highlights the fact that their program has really grown and about 25 swimmers were part of it last season. Trick-Wilks says “we have some wonderful coaches and if you have people that like to swim and like to work with special needs, we always welcome more volunteers to help our swimmers get the very best. There are some very fast special needs swimmers all across our province and all across our nation, and it is a great chance for them to show their athletic ability.”

In addition to Wesley Wilks winning 3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at Special Olympics Nationals in Medicine Hat this year, Trick-Wilks adds that Shane Neilson competed in the Sherwood Park area at the Alberta Summer Games and took home 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze while participating in events including 50M freestyle, 50M backstroke, and 50M breaststroke.

She adds, they will be hosting swimmers from all over the province for a meet at the Olds Aquatic Centre on the 8th of November.

If you are interested in volunteering this season, contact Karen through the Special Olympics Olds Alberta Facebook page.

Listen to 96.5 The Ranch’s Community Hotline conversation with Teena Trick-Wilks.

Galen Hartviksen
Galen Hartviksen
Straight outta northwestern Ontario, Galen moved from his hometown of Thunder Bay to Alberta in 1998. After graduating from the broadcasting program at Mount Royal College (Class of 2003), it was off to the Town of Olds for the launch of the independent radio station (CAB-K Broadcasting). A fan of all seasons, Galen has been News Director & the voice of the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Olds Grizzlys on 96.5 CKFM/ROCK 104.5 for two decades and in 2024 he was excited to have the opportunity to join the team at Vista Radio and My Mountain View Now.

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