PUEBLO — The San Luis Valley Special Olympics program recently wrapped up their 2019 bowling season by competing in the Southeast Regional tournament in Pueblo on Saturday, October 12.

Athletes worked hard during weekly practices that started the first week of September at the Stars & Strikes Entertainment bowling alley in Monte Vista. All bowlers were required to submit an average based on a set number of games in order to advance to regional competition. They were assisted every practice by several students from the ASU Kinesiology Department’s senior capstone class.

Several local Special Olympians competed in the state bowling tournament held on November 16 at the Belleview Lanes in Englewood. Michelle Chacon took first place and a Gold Medal, Lionel Manzanares took third place and a Bronze Medal, and Chris Martinez took fourth place and a White Ribbon, in their respective singles events.

The San Luis Valley Special Olympics program is currently working on basketball. Practices are held on Saturdays, 10 am to 12 noon, in ASU’s East Campus gym & began Saturday, November 2.

For more information or to help coach, contact Peggy Johnson at 587-7408 or [email protected].

Valley athletes competed in singles competition and received the following awards in their respective divisions at the Southwest Regional Tournament in Pueblo. (based on gender, age and qualifying score):

Marc Alfaro 2nd place

Robert Allaart 1st place

John Bailey 2nd place

Sharon Bailey 3rd place

Michelle Chacon 1st place

Michael Maez 1st place

Lionel Manzanares 2nd place

Chris Martinez 1st place

CT Rogers 4th place

Chuck Silva 3rd place

Karie Valdez 1st place

Loren Velasquez 5th place

Virgil Wyatt 3rd place