Alisa Harding isn’t one to let grass grow under her feet.
When the 18-year-old Lake Orion resident isn’t in the classroom at Lake Orion High School, she is playing basketball, soccer, hockey, running track and field, bowling, swimming and snowshoeing, all with the Special Olympics program.
Her talents in snowshoe will take her to the Special Olympics World Games in Nagano, Japan, Feb. 26-March 5, as part of the team from Michigan.
Harding has been snowshoeing for two years, and has been in the Special Olympics program since she moved to Lake Orion when she was eight.
‘I’ve got two medals (from snowshoeing),? she said.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and coaches (in February).?
‘She likes doing outdoor stuff,? said mom Beth Harding. ‘She started doing snowshoe because her friends were doing it.?
Harding is coached by Dave Key, and practices once a week at LOHS.
‘She’s been training since last May,? Beth said. ‘She does exercises, and rides her stationary bike.?
Harding has competed before in the Special Olympics, but never in the World Games. Asked why she enjoys snowshoeing, Harding said ‘I like being outside, and exercising.?
‘She likes the competition, too,? Beth said.
So far her Special Olympics experience has taken Harding across the United States; including a five-day training camp this past December in Copper Mountain, Colorado; and to Canada. This will be Harding’s first trip to Japan.
‘She has to travel with chaperones and coaches,? Beth said. ‘She leaves on February 20, and the family will come over on February 24.?
Harding is the only snowshoer in her family; which besides Beth includes dad Mark, brother Adam, 23, and sister Andrea, 16; and said she finds the sport relaxing.
‘We do stairways and the track and field (for practice),? she said. ‘It’s kinda fun.?
Harding said her favorite sport is swimming, and she is also a Pistons and Red Wings fan.
‘I like Ben Wallace and Chauncy Billups,? she said.
‘She’s also a fan of Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan,? said Beth.
The 2005 Special Olympics World Games will bring together 2,500 athletes, 650 coaches, and thousands of family members, spectators and journalists from around the world.
This is the first Special Olympics World Games hosted in Asia, and athletes will stay in the same athletes? village that was used for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, as well as competing in many of the same arenas.
Besides snowshoeing, other competitions at the games will include: Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, speed skating and floor hockey.
Harding will compete in the 25-meter and 50-meter snowshoe events.
‘She’s a sprinter, not a distance person,? said Beth.
Harding and her other teammates from Michigan were chosen to compete in the World Games because of their talent, sportsmanship and leadership while participating in Special Olympics Michigan.
Team USA consists of 200 athletes and 89 coaches/management team members.
The Special Olympics program is available for anyone with disabilities, ages 8 and up. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics.
To learn more, visit www.specialolympics.org, contact Special Olympics at (202) 628-3630, or contact the LOHS Special Education office by calling the school at 693-5420.