The Alameda Islanders competed in the Special Olympics Northern California Swimming Regional on Saturday, May 21 at Mills College in Oakland.

Athletes competed in freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly swim competitions.

Teams from cities in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Solano and Mendocino counties participated in the event. Opening ceremonies were held, followed by the Special Olympics Athlete Oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Coaches Tyler Cobb and Susan Tremain led the Islanders in the competition. Tremain was recognized for her 47 years of service (and counting). In a spirit of competition and sportsmanship, Special Olympians competed in a variety of different swimming skills in both the shallow and full-length pools. Team Alameda brought home multiple gold medals. Event judges handed out gold, silver, and bronze medals like the Paralympics in China last summer.

The team began practicing for the meet in early spring, (“Islanders Train for Regional Swim Meet,” April 14.) Their training sessions took place at Encinal Swim Center. Tremain put them through their paces and volunteers were in the water with them to assure safety. Assistant coaches timed their laps.