By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University Swimming sponsored a Special Olympics team this season. Many members of the Willamette intercollegiate swimming teams helped coach the Special Olympics - Marion County team.

The Special Olympics team practiced two hours each Sunday during September and most of October. Willamette athletes helped coach swimmers in all age groups, helping them work on stroke, preparing them for competition, and handling all administrative and swim meet scheduling for the team.

Jason Bayang (Sr., Wahiawa, HI/Hoala School) was the head coach of the Special Olympics team. He was involved with the team for the fourth year in a row.

Assistant coaches were Cassie Tallman (Jr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS), Kristi Miyakawa (Jr., Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS), Rachel Kiser-Taylor (Jr., Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet HS), Margo Coxon (Jr., Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS), Ashlyn Witherwax (Jr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), Gabby Dewson (So., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS), Niki Kates (Fr., Truckee, CA/Forest Charter School), and Mikayla Costello (Fr., Nipomo, CA/Nipomo HS).

Many of the Special Olympics athletes and coaches attended the Regional Meet at the Osborne Aquatic Center in Corvallis, Oregon, on Sunday, Oct. 23. It was a fun and exciting end to the season.