INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Of the 60 or so bowlers who make up the Special Olympics of Indian River County’s team, nearly 10 will be going to the state games next month in Orlando, and they could use the community’s help getting there.
Coach Jim Wood watched as his bowlers practiced at Vero Bowl on Sunday, as they do every Sunday during bowling season. Eight or nine would be making the trip to Orlando to compete in the Florida Bowling Competition. The top finishers there would get to move on to Nationals, and then the World competitions.
Brian Wilkie’s been there – done that.
Ten years ago, at 22, he bowled well enough to make it to the world competition in Ireland.
“That was a trip I’d never forget,” he said, taking a quick break from bowling.
At the young age of 5, Wilkie began bowling and he hasn’t been able to stop.
His bowling average is 185 and he serves as an Athlete-Coach now for the Special Olympics of Indian River County’s bowling team.
The year he made it to World Competition, Wilkie said he spent nearly every waking moment practicing, perfecting his timing and aim.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “I want to stick with it as long as I can.”
The Florida Bowling Competition this year will be held over the first weekend in November at various bowling alleys in Orlando.
No bowler will have to pay for transportation or lodging or food – it’s a rule under the Special Olympics, Coach Wood said.
Instead, the county chapter relies on sponsorships and donations, the generosity of the community to help the athletes continue on their quests for medals.
Getting ready for the competition – and looking ahead to next season – the Special Olympics team practices at Vero Bowl, in Vero Beach, and Ercildoune Lanes, in Roseland.
“Both bowling alleys treat us very well,” Coach Wood said.
In order to keep the bowlers going – equipped and prepared for travel – the Special Olympics chapter continues to seek support.
It costs, on average, around $200 per member of the Special Olympics – regardless of the sport or sports they participate in, according to the coach.
Due to the economy, the organization has had to put off new uniforms and find other ways to cut the budget to make up.
Coach Wood said it cost about $2,000 to take the bowlers to the Area Bowling Competition in Tamarac, Fla., a 2-hour drive south of Vero Beach.
And many of the athletes participate in more than bowling.
For Wilkie, when he isn’t in the bowling alley, he can often be found swimming or participating in track and field sports.
Twenty-two-year-old Christy Berg competes in equestrian, golf and swimming, along with bowling. It keeps her active and has helped her make friends, she said.
“It’s a nice group of people,” Berg said.
Earlier this month, Special Olympics of Indian River County competed in the State Aquatics Competition, held in Sebastian, at the North County Aquatics Center.
Coach Wood said the chapter had worked hard to bring the games close to home – and now they are working again to bring the golf and softball competitions to Indian River County.
Bowling, however, is not on the horizon in terms of having the Area or State games come to the county, he said.
Indian River County would need two or three more bowling alleys to open up to adequately handle the number of bowlers who would compete.
But, the facilities are already in place for the other sports – as are the volunteers and available hotel beds, the coach said.
