ASF Race Team Impresses at Special Olympics New York State Winter Games

CORTLAND, N.Y. – Seven members of the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Race Team competed in the Special Olympics New York State Winter Games at Greek Peak this past weekend from February 24-26.

Matt Colella, Mark Huang, Ava McIntosh and Bruce Williams each represented the ASF in the alpine skiing events, while Zachary Elder, Charlie Kleiman and Andrew Stout participated in the snowboard races.

Mark Huang (left), Ava McIntosh (center) and Charlie Kleiman (right) with their Special Olympics Race Bibs

“This weekend was a really fun time,” Charlie said about his experience at the 2023 State Winter Games. “The Opening Ceremony was really cool, we got to high-five a lot of police officers and a lot of other people.”

Each racer participated in two events in their divisions: the slalom and the giant slalom. Competing in the M01 Snowboard Division, the ASF swept the podium in both contests. Zach took home the gold in both races, with times of 1:44.15 in the slalom and 1:18.11 in the giant slalom, respectively. Andrew earned the silver medal in both events with times of 2:24.13 and 1:44.14, while Charlie finished with two bronze medals with times of 3:08.15 and 2:12.62.

“I’m very proud of myself,” Charlie said. “It feels really good when my hard work creates positive results.”

In the M05 Ski Division, Mark outpaced the field in the giant slalom, posting a time of 1:30.93 and earning the gold. He also nabbed the silver medal in the slalom with a time of 2:09.17.

Matt took home two silver medals in the M06 Ski Division, coming in with a time of 2:46.15 in the slalom and 1:44.11 in the giant slalom. Bruce, competing in the M07 Ski Division, also earned multiple silvers, finishing the slalom in 2:39.13 and the giant slalom in 2:04.12.

Ava competed in the F01 Ski Division, posting a time of 2:46.16 in the slalom and a 1:33.28 in the giant slalom. Her efforts garnered her two bronze medals in the events.

In total, ASF racers brought home 14 medals: three golds, seven silvers and four bronzes.

“It feels really awesome to be together as a team,” Charlie explained. “To congratulate and support each other is really cool.”

This event wrapped up the Special Olympics New York winter schedule, but Zach Elder, Charlie Kleiman and Andrew Stout have one more major event coming up before their seasons come to a close. On April 2-6, he three ASF snowboarders will head to Copper Mountain in Copper, Colorado to compete in the USSA Snowboard National Championships.