On Saturday, November 19, 2022, two Holyoke students, Austin Durbin and Abraham Diaz, will participate in the State of Colorado's annual ADR Special Olympic Bowling Competition.
\r\nAccording to the Special Olympics website, "Ten-pin Bowling commonly called "Bowling" in the US, is a competitive sport in which a player (the "bowler") rolls a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objective of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.
\r\nAlthough Bowling does not belong to the Olympic sports, it is among the most popular sports in Special Olympics. It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration. Plus, it's great fun!"
\r\nDurbin and A. Diaz will represent Holyoke High School as members of a bowling team that also includes students from Akron, Lone Star, Revere, and Yuma High Schools. HHS students Tayla Martin and Tomas Diaz will accompany the team as helpers and mentors for the HHS bowlers.
\r\nDurbin and A. Diaz have spent the fall preparing for this competition. Said Durbin, "We had to play against Brush last month."
\r\nThe district is treating these athletes like any other athletes who make state and will treat them to a high five send off prior to departure.