Albert Weaver of Lehighton hefts a swirled red bowling ball to eye level. Pausing briefly at the approach, he lines up his trajectory and moves forward. A few quick steps and he releases the ball, which rolls smoothly down the polished wood lane.

Weaver was among 62 Special Olympics athletes from Carbon County who tested their bowling skills on Saturday at Fritz Lanes in Lehighton.The athletes have been practicing for 11 weeks for the competition, said volunteer coach Chris Anthony.Those who came away from the day's competition with gold medals qualify for the Eastern Bowling Sectional on March 29 in Allentown. the top winners from that contest qualify for the Spring Sectional on May 2 at Kutztown University.As Weaver and other athletes bowled, Matthew Anthony of Palmerton stood with a friend, Daniel Kurtz of Lehighton, waiting for their turn."All I really care about is that I want my friends to win," Matthew Anthony said.Kurtz looked around at the throngs of people crowding the room. Although basketball is his favorite sport, he gave bowling his best shot."We have a whole bunch of fans. Everybody came to support us," he said.As Anthony and Kurtz watched the action, Pat Richardson, a supervisor at Wakefield Cottage in Albrightsville, cheered on her clients Gus Tillman, Carla Johnson, Warren Utermahlen and Alex Gerstenberg."It's a rewarding experience for the participants, and a great opportunity to cheer from the sidelines," she said. "They're excited. They are very competitive."Each bowler was rewarded by cheers and hugs from families, friends and volunteers.Once bowling has wrapped up, the athletes will tackle track and field. Anyone interested in volunteer coaching is should contact Dave Rodrigues at rod

878@ptd.net.Special Olympics of carbon County is under the wing of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, a chapter of Special Olympics Inc. The organization provides year-round athletic training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities and provides them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Special Olympics of Carbon County currently offers bowling, floor hockey, and track and field.