Special Olympics Winter Games

Three Kingsburg athletes were selected to compete in the Fresno County Special Olympics Winter Games held February 23 - 25. Kyle Johnson (Lincoln Elementary School) and Alyssa Duarte (Rafer Johnson Jr. High School) competed along with 61 athletes from Fresno County in Alpine and Nordic Events.  (Dezi Yacconi from Reagan Elementary was unable to attend this year.)  

Kyle and Alyssa received gold and silver medals for their respective cross-country races in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and 500m. events. Also attending was Carla Duarte (Rafer) as a Unified Partner with Special Olympics Northern California.  This certification allowed her to compete with her sister, Alyssa, in the Family Cup - a race which pairs a Special Olympic athlete with a family member.  Carla also assisted with athletes on and off the hill.

The athletes, coaches and volunteers stay in Shaver Lake during the 3-day competition at China Peak.  The community plans for and fund raises for the event all year.  China Peak donates Alpine equipment and lift tickets. Herb Bauer's donated the Nordic equipment and East Fresno Kiwanis put together sack lunches to be used on the hill during the competition.  It takes a lot of volunteers and time to put on this event but it is well worth it. 

Coach Peggy Cuadros said, "It was exciting to see these athletes compete to the best of their ability on less than ideal snow conditions this year. But far more important than a competition, it is training for life."