Delaware Special Olympics athletes taking USA Games in Seattle by storm

Justin Bates was pumped to bowl Saturday at Bowlerama in Newark.

He wanted his Team Delaware Special Olympics teammates to be ready for its weekly practice as well, so he blasted AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" on his phone before rolling two consecutive strikes to start practice.

The four members of Delaware's Special Olympics bowling team have adopted "Thunderstruck" as their theme song as they prepare to represent the state next week in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle.

Family members will show their support for Team Delaware by wearing "Thunder Strike" T-shirts designed by Justin's mother, Kim Bates, during competition days at the Games.

A contingent of 26 Special Olympics Delaware athletes and coaches leave Saturday to join about 3,000 other athletes from across the country to participate in 14 team and individual sports during the July 1-6 USA Games.

Bates said he is excited to represent Delaware in Seattle and wants to bring home gold for his home state.

"Our team is looking good," said the 22-year-old Bates, who is developmentally delayed. "It will be tough, but our goal is to get a gold medal. That's what we are focused on."

The New Castle athlete who bowls for the MOT Tigers will be joined by teammates Sara Giles of Wilmington, Crystal Ho of Middletown and Zachary Martin of Newark. They are coached by Bonnie Smith.

Smith, who has been bowling for 40 years and has been a volunteer coach for Special Olympics Delaware for 15 years, said each of the four members bring something different to the team but have come together since being picked for the USA Games in October.

She said the experience is the most important thing for the Delaware athletes, but she believes the bowling team is good enough to compete for the three top spots. 

"They work hard and they will be ready," said Smith, a member of the Wilmington Women's Bowling Hall of Fame with two 300 games under her belt. "They have gelled as a team and are a cohesive unit. We may be small, but everyone will know we are there."

Kim Bates said this is the culmination of hard work and dedication by Justin, who has been a part of Special Olympics for more than 15 years. 

She said Justin got the entire family involved when he made the choice to compete in Special Olympics Delaware events. The family helps in fundraising efforts and volunteers as often as possible. That culminated in being named Special Olympics Delaware Outstanding Family of 2015.

"This is a part of who we are," she said. "It's a big part of our lives. Going to Seattle is huge for Justin. It's his time to shine along with his other teammates."

Delaware will be represented by the four bowlers, five athletes in swimming, four in track & field, four in bocce, two in tennis and one in powerlifting. 

"For a lot of our athletes, this is the biggest stage they will compete on," said the director of media relations & program innovations for Special Olympics Delaware. "The USA Games have become the pinnacle of athletes who compete in the United States."

Buzby said the four bowlers all won gold medals in their respective divisions during the 48th annual Delaware Special Olympics Summer Games held in June. 

He said Special Olympics Delaware firmly believes that athletes, despite their ability, deserve to advance and that these athletes represent the best within their ability levels.

"All abilities are represented in all sports at the USA Games," Buzby said. 

For some of the Special Olympics Delaware athletes, the trip to Seattle will be the first time they have been away from home. For others, it is going to be the first time traveling on an airplane. 

"The experience is really the important thing," said Smith. "I know they all want medals, but this is such a great experience and I want them to enjoy that more than the pressure to medal."

A sendoff ceremony for the departing athletes will be held at 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the Delaware State Police Troop 2 complex in Newark. Team Delaware will be introduced during a 20-minute ceremony before they board a bus and depart for the Philadelphia Airport.

Once in Seattle, Team Delaware will march in the Parade of Athletes during the opening ceremony at the University of Washington's Husky Stadium, then stay on campus at the Special Olympics Town, where they can participate in special events and activities throughout the week.