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Update: Zach's brother, Almanza, called me to say that he received the bronze in the 25-meter-assisted walk, not the softball throw. Sorry about the mix-up.
Of all the shirts people donned at today's Special Olympics Summer Games at Fort Lewis, the ones that read "Team Zack," were the some of the loudest.
The family of Zach Mendes of Everett made the shirts to show their support. Unfortunately, the company that printed the shirts spelled his name with a "k," rather than an "h."
but the misspelling didn't stop the 12 members of his family from Everett and South Hill to cheer their lungs out at every chance.
Danny Almanza, Zach's brother from South Hill, said every Special Olympics in which his brother competes is special.
At 9 months old, doctors discovered Zach had gotten spinal meningitis and didn't give him long to live. Today, he is deaf and developmentally impaired, but he's walking and winning medals at the Special Olympics.
Zach even has his own slogan, which was splashed in bright letters across the backs of his family's t-shirts: "Zack Attack."
"Yeah, go Zach!" Almanza screamed as his brother picked up a bronze in the 25-meter assisted walk. "Zach Attack!"
Ever wonder what you would say if a reporter asked you what you enjoyed most about winning in the Olympics?
Well, that's what happened to Nancy Roberts, a Lakewood resident and member of Pierce County Friends and Athletes.
She took silver in the 100-year trot. After the medal ceremony, I asked her what was her favorite part of Saturday.
"The sunshine," Roberts said, her smile beaming.
At these games, the old saying of "winning isn't everything" really is true.
Kevin Anderson is a 10-year veteran of the Special Olympics.
The 26-year-old from Tacoma was taking a break from his events Saturday at Cowan Stadium at Fort Lewis. Minutes removed his gold medal-winning performance in the shot put as a member of the Metro Parks Panthers, he was mentally preparing to sprint in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes later in the afternoon.
That's right, Anderson is a multi-sport athlete, a la Bo Jackson, the super athlete of the 1980s. (Remember lines such as, "Bo knows golf," etc.? That's Kevin)
Anderson, who has down syndrome, doesn't let his skills on the field get to his head. However, he did predict a strong showing in the running events.
"I'm super-speed," he said, pointing to his chest.
UPDATE: Officials say more than 2,500 athletes competed in the Special Olympics
I'm here at the annual Summer Games for Special Olympics Washington at Fort Lewis, where cheers and high-fives are in no short supply.
It's amazing to see the enthusiasm and effort these athletes put into these games. It's also amazing to see their families and friends travel from places such as Eastern Washington, Vancouver and Arlington to cheer them on.
In the seating area of the track, various colored tents help identify where these teams are from. I've already spotted one team from the South Sound - the Fort Lewis Tigers.
I'll be posting from these games throughout this sunny Saturday. Stay tuned.
