Two hard-working athletes shared the spoils as co-recipients of July's Athlete of the Month accolade for Special Olympics Airdrie.
Kolt and Brendan were wide-eyed and excited at the final softball practice of the summer on July 26, when the program's coaches surprised each of them with the monthly honour.
“I’m really excited,” said Kolt, a 10-year-old student-athlete from École Edwards Elementary School, who is going to go into Grade 5 in September. “I didn’t know I’d get this!”
Kolt has been playing softball with Special Olympics Airdrie for two years. While he enjoys playing in the outfield the most, he said he also likes to try his hand at batting.
But Kolt's favourite part of playing in the weekly softball sessions at Meadowbrook School's ball diamond every Wednesday night, he noted, is the social aspect.
“I like my friends and the coach, Owen,” he said, adding he's made lots of friends through his participation in the program. In addition to softball, Kolt also plays basketball in the winters.
The other winner of the Athlete of the Month last Wednesday was Brendan, a 25-year-old Rocky View County resident. Echoing what Kolt had to say, Brendan noted he was surprised to learn he'd received Special Olympics Airdrie's coveted monthly recognition.
“I didn’t expect it – it was a shock, honestly,” he said.
Brendan attributed his being awarded the Athlete of the Month honour to his dedication to improving his softball skills this summer.
“I think I did better this year, picking up from what I learned the last few years,” he said. “I may have struggled a little bit, but feel I’ve improved a lot more. It’s nice to keep playing, to have fun, and keep practicing and getting better.”
Brendan said his favourite part of baseball is pitching and that the skillset he wants to improve upon most is his batting.
But above all else, Brendan agreed the best part about coming to softball every week is simply having fun.
“It’s one of my favourite sports,” he said.
Special Olympics Airdrie's head coach for its softball program, Owen Eikenberry, said the two athletes recognized last Wednesday exemplified the qualities he looks for in athletes. He said that is why Kolt and Brendan were selected as July's co-Athletes of the Month.
“We have certain categories – most improved, sportsmanship, things like that – but athlete of the month kind of encompasses everything I expect in an athlete,” he said. “When you participate in a sport, there’s competition, sportsmanship, kindness, ability to learn, and being an encouraging, positive impact on your team.
“That, to me, is what an athlete should be at all times, and I think these two people represented that perfectly.”
The July 26 practice was the last softball session of the summer for Special Olympics Airdrie. Eikenberry said it was a successful season overall, highlighting an uptick in attendance and participation compared to 2022.
“Last year, we didn’t have the numbers we expected but that was because of other issues,” he said. “It was the first year back [after COVID] and people maybe weren’t ready to return. But this year, we’ve had an excellent regrowth and attendance record. For the most part, all the athletes have come to all the practices.”
Though the athletes didn't get to test their newly developed skills against any other Special Olympics Alberta affiliates in tournaments, Eikenberry said the plan for next year is to provide those opportunities once again.
