Gaston takes first at Special Olympics State Games

Bonners Ferry athlete Ladonna Gaston won two gold medals at the Special Olympics Idaho Summer State Games — one in the 250m cycling race and the other in the 500m cycling event. The games were held June 8 in Caldwell.

Gaston had the longest journey of any Idaho athlete to reach the summer games and is already looking forward to participating next year. 

Prior to the opening ceremonies at the state games, the Special Olympic torch was carried through Idaho, starting in Bonners Ferry on May 20.

Two members of the Bonners Ferry team, Ladonna Gaston and Roxanne Peterson, assisted local law enforcement officers in carrying the torch for several blocks on Main Street on the South Hill. The run ended at Boundary County Middle School with a closing ceremony. The torch was then transported south on its way to the state games.

Four local athletes competed in the Idaho games this year, having qualified when they placed in the Northern Regional Summer Olympic Games on May 18 at the University of Idaho in Moscow. The four athletes who competed in the regional games all placed and took home ribbons. 

Ladonna Gaston, Laurie Vaughn and Julie Weible each competed in the 250m and 500m sprint cycling events, earned two blue ribbons for finishing in first place in both events. 

Weible received two red ribbons for her second place finishes. Vaughn received two yellow ribbons for third place finishes. 

Roxanne Peterson competed in two track events, where she earned a yellow ribbon for third place in the 200m race and a blue ribbon for first place in the 400m race.

The Bonners Ferry Special Olympics team has had an active spring season with the 10 athletes competing across multiple sports. 

Spring practice started in April when they met for weekly practices in basketball, track, and cycling.

After a brief summer break, the team will start training in August for a bocce ball regional competition in September, then move on to practicing bowling for competition in November.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the Special Olympics as an athlete or volunteer, please contact Coach John Beck at 986-205-1244.  

Bonners Ferry Special Olympics is selling raffle tickets for a new truck and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which is part of the statewide raffle and primary fundraiser for Special Olympics Idaho. Donations are also accepted.

    Special Olympics team members (L-R): Ladonna Gaston, Julie Weible, Roxanne Peterson, and Laurie Vaughn