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Athletes Countdown to World GamesTeam USA-Texas prepares for final month before competition For Immediate Release: January 6, 2009 AUSTIN – In one month, four Special Olympics Texas athletes will make the trip to Idaho for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games from February 7 through 13. The athletes attended a five-day training camp from December 3 through 8 at Copper Mountain, Colorado, and now they are preparing for international competition at the World Games. Justin Horton of Richardson is passionate about figure skating. The 31-year-old is a graceful and talented performer and enjoys training and competing. Horton is no stranger to taking center stage; he competed in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 World Winter Games in figure skating. Over his 26 years with Special Olympics, Horton has learned team work, kept physically fit and improved his self esteem. In addition to figure skating, Horton competes in bowling, basketball, bocce, soccer and volleyball. When he isn't training or competing, Horton works at Café Max restaurant as a dining room assistant. He has held multiple positions with the Boy Scouts and was featured in Ted Dawson's Sport Scene "Inspirations." Horton performed in the Celebration of Gold with Olympic skaters Tara Lipinski and Brian Boitano. Kristen Lyons, 33, is a natural on the ice. The Richardson athlete trains hard to improve her skating and is excited to show off her routines at the World Winter Games. In 2005, Lyons travelled to Nagano, Japan to compete in the World Winter Games, where she earned a silver medal in figure skating. With 27 years of Special Olympics experience under her belt, Lyons is ready to tackle her next World Games. In addition to figure skating, Lyons also competes in bowling, basketball and golf. She says, "Special Olympics has helped me make friends, stay fit and travel to many wonderful places." Off the ice, Lyons stays busy volunteering at the Octopus Garden Preschool as a teacher's assistant. She graduated from Richland College with a Teacher's Assistant Certification. Lyons was selected as a self-advocate on the Down Syndrome Guild Board and appeared on Ted Dawson's Sport Scene "Inspirations." When Leanne Owens of Dallas takes the ice, she is ready to compete! The 36 year-old has been a part of Special Olympics for 23 years and competes in figure skating, aquatics, golf, basketball, softball, gymnastics and volleyball. She competed in the 1995 World Games in gymnastics. She can't wait to attend Opening Ceremonies and compete in the World Winter Games. Owens says Special Olympics gives her the opportunity to play sports and be with friends. Among her many accomplishments, Owens was a high school football sweetheart, honored at the Special Olympics Texas Black Tie Gala and featured as an inspirational athlete on the local sports programs. Owens stays busy outside of Special Olympics Texas at her job at Ross department store. She has volunteered for seven years at the Neighborhood Service Council at Spring Valley Methodist Church and has joined her fellow athletes in welcoming home soldiers at the airport. 42 year-old Marissa Castillon of Houston has dedicated 32 years to ice skating, and her hard work shows when she hits the ice. Castillon has advanced to level four in figure skating, an accomplishment of which she is very proud. In 2001, she competed in the World Winter Games in Alaska, where she earned a bronze medal in figure skating. She says, "It has made me more confident, self sufficient; it helps me in my job to be more of a team player and through exercise, it has kept me in good shape." She is excited to represent Texas and compete with athletes from around the world. Castillon was named Athlete of the Year for the Greater Houston area and the state in 2003 and her family was named Family of the Year for the Greater Houston area and the state in 2001. She is also part of the Athlete Leadership Program. About the 2009 World Winter Games About Special Olympics Texas Official Partners: H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust, Wal-Mart ###
Andi Baca Kelly |
Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics, Inc.,
for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. |
