Law enforcement organizes Special Olympics torch run
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A torch was carried across Lake County on Friday to support local athletes participating in the Montana Special Olympic Games. Members of law enforcement organized the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and they were joined by an ambulance crew and several volunteers.
“Our job as law enforcement is to guard the flame,” Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said, holding the torch while wearing his running shoes.
The Polson Police Department organized the countywide torch run that took off from First Interstate Bank in Polson in the morning and ended in Arlee later in the afternoon. Officer Devon McCrea lined up civilian runners, bikers, and horse riders to help move the torch in shifts across 50-plus miles down U.S. Highway 93. Special Olympic athletes joined the trek as well.
Officer McCrea followed the volunteers in her police car with the help of a second police escort provided by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Police. Volunteers stayed on the side of the road between the police cars.
“We do this to bring awareness to Special Olympics,” Chief Nash said, explaining that the more people that know about the games the more support and monetary assistance the athletes will get.
The Polson police department has held several fundraisers to support the athletes, including serving pizza to raise proceeds. They plan to do more fundraising projects.
“This is a great experience and it gets bigger each year,” Nash said. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of community support.”
Special Olympic Athlete Kyler Gage, 10, made sure Chief Nash got the flame lit before they took off down the road with the group of athletes and officers. Folks cheered the group as they carried the torch past the lake.
Athlete Martin Schlensker explained that he competes in track and swimming events at the games, and every year, he improves.
“It’s awesome,” he said of the games. “I will do the best that I can.”
The games began May 17 in Missoula.
“This gives them confidence to be able to set goals and work towards those goals,” said Polson Special Olympics Coach Melesa Butler. She added that Kris Kelly is the head coach for the team.
Coach Butler wanted to thank the police department for helping the team raise money to participate in the games.
“We have to cover all the expenses,” she said explaining that funding is used for the cost of uniforms and travel to the games.
Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver put on his running shoes to help move the torch through Ronan. Lake County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Clay Shoemaker and St. Ignatius Police Officer Patrick Nobles rode bikes with several students from the Unity Youth Group through St. Ignatius. Tribal council representatives also volunteered to help move the torch across the county.
Several torches are taken through counties across Montana. They end up at the Special Olympic Games where they will be used to light the big torch to kick off the event.
Special Olympic athletes from Polson include John Bakerstreet, Rakeena Caye, Fayth Fallat, Rochelle Farnsworth, Aiden Finley, Chance Hoover, Dothan Stene, Montana Susoeff, Christopher Alexander, Robert “Robbie” Hayes, Kiya Kelly, Paul Nield, Kyler Gage, Max Huber, Kaidence MacKay, Cody Merritt, Victoria Niblack and Martin Schlensker.
Ronan athletes include Brad Allen, Ryan Anderson, Shawna Armstrong, Jessica Kent, April Mcleod, Jesse Mcleod, Victoria Normandeau, Shelby Rodda, Lane Raulston and Travis Wood.
