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Sports

Nacamulis Make Summer Games a Family Event

Special Olympics willing to take on new athletes to participate in more than 160 different events.

When asked if they were close, Laura and Alexa Nacamuli looked at each other, smiled and shared a big hug.

"Oh, God, yes," Laura Nacamuli smiled. "We're close. Real close."

That closeness expands to the whole Nacamuli family, which has two girls and two boys.

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Alexa, 18, is involved in Special Olympics. It addition to cheering her on as she competed in the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games, her family also took great joy in participating in a walkathon at the Warren Middle School, which raised $10,000 for Somerset County Special Olympics.

The money raised locally helps provide practice facilities and equipment. Throughout the state, funds raised help 22,000 athletes in New Jersey compete. It helped over 2,300 athletes qualify for the Summer Games.

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The Summer Games were held from June 10-12. Athletes moved into housing at The College of New Jersey, and all the food, competition and games were free for the athletes and the spectators.

Over 98 percent of the money needed to run Special Olympics New Jersey comes from corporations, individual donations or fundraisers.

"Summer Games would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and corporations whose contributions enable us to conduct these competitions totally free of charge to athletes and their families," said Fred Graziano, chairman of the board for Special Olympics New Jersey. "We are fortunate to have loyal, long-term partners who truly embrace the Special Olympics spirit and hail the achievement of our athletes."

Mrs. Nacamuli was certainly embracing her chance to be involved.

"I'm the team mom," Nacamuli said. "I help wherever they need me."

Alexa is a member of the Somerset YMCA Sea Wasps swim team. At the Summer Games, she was competing in the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 4x500 free relay and 4x50 medley relay.

"My favorite stroke is the backstroke," Alexa said. "I'm good in that one. I get gold medals in that one."

Warren was well represented at the Summer Games, especially in the swimming events. Melissa Bosch swam the 50 breaststroke, 100 IM, 4x50 medley relay and 4x50 free relay. Robert Finer swam the 50 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 4x50 medley relay and the 4x50 freestyle. Daniel Li swam the 25 butterfly, 50 free, 4x25 free and the 4x25 medley relay.

Warren's Willam Hilke competed in the Summer Games in softball as a member of the Somerset Tigers.

Like all of these athletes, Alexa Nacamuli spent a long time practicing for the Summer Games. Her swim team met once a week from November to early June. The Summer Games mark the competitive end of this season. The fall, winter and spring seasons feature different sports—altogether, the Special Olympics has competitions in over 160 events.

"She loves swimming, but another great thing about Special Olympics is the social aspect," Nacamuli said. "They make such great friendships. They are enduring friendships."

They become close. You know, just like Laura and Alexa Nacamuli.

For more information about Special Olympics New Jersey, call 609-896-8000 or vistit www.sonj.org. Sports and training opportunities are held throughout the year.

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