Athletes prepare for Special Olympics in Mount Pleasant this summer
MIDLAND -- At Northeast Middle School, athletes are mastering the art of swimming. They are preparing to compete at the Special Olympics this June in Mount Pleasant.
"I've actually been to CMU for three years so right now this will be my fourth year running," said Jeremy Mathews, swimmer for the Area 30 team.
Mathews has had the help of volunteers, John Musienga and Vincent Mathews, who happens to be Jeremy’s dad.
"He's the one that got me to come,” Mathews said. “He started swimming before I started helping.”
Mathews assists while Musienga is head coach.
"Our program is partially training just to keep people in condition but also to get those athletes ready for swimming tournaments," Musienga said.
Musienga’s son, John Musienga, III, also swims with Area 30 and is a decorated swimmer at the Special Olympics.
"I did very good there last year. I got three silvers last year," Musienga, III said.
While many of these swimmers have success in competition, Coach Musienga believes winning is not what matters most.
"More than anything, it's getting the athletes to really put their face into the water and trying to make sure they're doing things as best as they can," Musienga said.
His son echoed his words through the Special Olympics motto:
“Let me win or if I should not win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
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