Italy CBI athletes stand proud at the podium after basketball Special Olympics

Image: CBI classmates and special olympic teammates Nathan Brock and Katie Connor receive a champions sendoff from supportive Italy HS students as they leave to compete in a basketball competition.

CBI classmates and special olympic teammates Nathan Brock and Katie Connor receive a champions sendoff from supportive Italy HS students as they leave to compete in a basketball competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy ISDs special athletes are exiting to be leaving for the Special Olympic basketball challenge in Cedar Hill after receiving cheers from the Italy HS student body as they boarded the bus.

Italy ISDs special athletes are exiting to be leaving for the Special Olympic basketball challenge in Cedar Hill after receiving cheers from the Italy HS student body as they boarded the bus. (Barry Byers)

Image: CBI class member Morgan Martinez is professionally dressed for work where she spends half her days at the Happy Heart Day Care facility in Italy.

CBI class member Morgan Martinez is professionally dressed for work where she spends half her days at the Happy Heart Day Care facility in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Morgan Martinez is busy at work as she carries out her daily duties inside the Happy Hearts Childcare facility in Italy.

Morgan Martinez is busy at work as she carries out her daily duties inside the Happy Hearts Childcare facility in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Nathan Brock #32 competes in the 10 meter dribble part of the basketball skills olympic competition. Brock earned a 3rd place medal with his superior court skills.

Italy’s Nathan Brock #32 competes in the 10 meter dribble part of the basketball skills olympic competition. Brock earned a 3rd place medal with his superior court skills. (Submitted photo)

Image: Italy’s #10 Wyatt Ballard takes aim during the target pass challenge of the Special Olympics.

Italy’s #10 Wyatt Ballard takes aim during the target pass challenge of the Special Olympics.

Image: Italy’s #14 Charlie Bolin earns a 2nd place medal as he proudly takes his spot atop the championship podium.

Italy’s #14 Charlie Bolin earns a 2nd place medal as he proudly takes his spot atop the championship podium.

Image: Italy’s #30 Danny Ashley stands proud as a 1st place winner and teammate #10 Wyatt Ballard is all smiles as a 2nd place medal winner.

Italy’s #30 Danny Ashley stands proud as a 1st place winner and teammate #10 Wyatt Ballard is all smiles as a 2nd place medal winner.

Image: Italy’s #24 David Williams is awarded a 3rd place medal.

Italy’s #24 David Williams is awarded a 3rd place medal.

Image: Italy Lady Gladiator #40 Katie Connor graciously accepts her 1st place gold medal as she towers high above on the podium.

Italy Lady Gladiator #40 Katie Connor graciously accepts her 1st place gold medal as she towers high above on the podium.

Image: Proud as can be is #22 Mikey South after being awarded his 1st place gold medal.

Proud as can be is #22 Mikey South after being awarded his 1st place gold medal.

Image: It is pure joy as Italy’s #22 Mikey South realizes his accomplishment of a 1st place gold medal.

It is pure joy as Italy’s #22 Mikey South realizes his accomplishment of a 1st place gold medal.

Image: Italy ISDs Special Olympic team waits patiently in the bleachers for their names to be called and their moment to compete. Athletes pictured are: (Top) Mikey South, Danny Ashley, Wyatt Ballard and Coach Erskin Anavitarte. (Middle) Charlie Bolin, Katie Connor and Nathan Brock. (Bottom) David Williams.

Italy ISDs Special Olympic team waits patiently in the bleachers for their names to be called and their moment to compete. Athletes pictured are: (Top) Mikey South, Danny Ashley, Wyatt Ballard and Coach Erskin Anavitarte. (Middle) Charlie Bolin, Katie Connor and Nathan Brock. (Bottom) David Williams. (Submitted photo)

Image: Katie Connor’s sparkling 3rd place medal really brings out the old gold of her Italy jersey.

Katie Connor’s sparkling 3rd place medal really brings out the old gold of her Italy jersey. (Submitted photo)

Image: Italy’s Nathan Brock enjoys meeting other Special Olympic athletes from other competing schools.

Italy’s Nathan Brock enjoys meeting other Special Olympic athletes from other competing schools. (Submitted photo)

Image: Italy HS Special Olympic athletes Katie Connor and Nathan Brock still have their game faces on while posing for pictures with their olympic medals draped around their necks like heavyweight championship belts.

Italy HS Special Olympic athletes Katie Connor and Nathan Brock still have their game faces on while posing for pictures with their olympic medals draped around their necks like heavyweight championship belts. (Submitted photo)

Image: Practice and hard work paid off as Stafford Elementary’s Mikey South made use of the basketball goal standing in his driveway to eventually stand atop the championship podium in Cedar Hill to receive his 1st place gold medal after posting the fastest time in the 10 meter dribbling race with a 3.8 second victory in his heat. Parents Michael and Tessa South were on hand to share the exciting moment with the champ.

Practice and hard work paid off as Stafford Elementary’s Mikey South made use of the basketball goal standing in his driveway to eventually stand atop the championship podium in Cedar Hill to receive his 1st place gold medal after posting the fastest time in the 10 meter dribbling race with a 3.8 second victory in his heat. Parents Michael and Tessa South were on hand to share the exciting moment with the champ. (Barry Byers)

Image: Devonteh Williams and Dylan McCasland, as well as many other Italy HS students and teachers, sign their congratulations on the banners hanging outside the classroom to welcome special athletes Katie Connor and Nathan Brock back from their olympic games.

Devonteh Williams and Dylan McCasland, as well as many other Italy HS students and teachers, sign their congratulations on the banners hanging outside the classroom to welcome special athletes Katie Connor and Nathan Brock back from their olympic games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Special Olympic medalist Katie Connor is proud to be a Lady Gladiator!

Special Olympic medalist Katie Connor is proud to be a Lady Gladiator! (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Connor displays the backside of her Special Olympics medal.

Katie Connor displays the backside of her Special Olympics medal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Connor continues to hold her medal while going with the rest of her class requirements for the day…and what a day it was!

Katie Connor continues to hold her medal while going with the rest of her class requirements for the day…and what a day it was! (Barry Byers)

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