Special Olympics athletes prepare for state games at Yuma area swim meet

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - More than 70 Special Olympics athletes from across the region gathered at Marcus Pool this weekend for an area swim meet focused on competition, preparation and personal progress.

After months of training, athletes had the opportunity to put their skills to the test while working toward personal bests and preparing for the Special Olympics state games later this month.

Yuma Special Olympics sports coach James Grace said the meet was an important part of that preparation.

“This is all preparation to go to state,” Grace said. “So getting good times, getting everybody used to the routine of what’s going to happen at state.”

While some athletes will advance to the state games, Grace said the area meet also gives others an opportunity to compete and experience the benefits of the program.

Among those competing was Grace's son, Job, who came away with a couple of medals.

But for Job, the meet was about more than winning. He said the support from his coaches and the community motivates him and his fellow athletes to continue pushing themselves.

“It means a lot,” Job said. “You see a lot of our coaches putting their time and pouring it into us athletes.”

Job said he enjoys seeing his teammates push themselves toward their personal bests, while also challenging himself in every event.

“I love to push myself in every single event I do,” Job said. “And it really means a lot to my coaches and myself.”

For Job's family, his journey in sports has made those accomplishments even more meaningful.

His mother, Amy Grace, who is also a local Special Olympics coach, said the family had no idea what the future would hold when Job was born.

“He wasn't supposed to survive even birth,” Amy said. “Wasn't supposed to walk or talk.”

Job was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two. Amy said the family eventually put him in sports, but it became difficult for him to keep up with his peers.

“It broke our hearts,” she said.

That changed when the family discovered Special Olympics about six years ago.

“It’s an amazing program,” Amy said. “He gets to compete.”

Now, Job and his fellow athletes will continue training and chasing their personal bests as they turn their attention to the state games, set for October 23 and 24.