Lee Scharf is hard at
work and training for another big swimming meet later this year called
the World Championships for Down Syndrome International.
This is nothing new for the Pompano native Scharf, who competed in the
Special Olympic World Games in Shanghai, China, a little over a year ago.
Scharf represented Broward County well there, taking home silver medals
in the 50 meter breaststroke and the 4 x 100m relay.
Scharf also managed to take fifth place in the 50m butterfly and was
one of 44 athletes chosen to represent the United States, since he had
the necessary qualifying time in order to be selected.
Special Olympic athletes are people with intellectual disabilities who
show remarkable positive spirit and determination to succeed. Through sports,
the build self esteem, establish friendships and develop social and leadership
skills. There are over 2.25 million athletes who represent Special Olympics
in more than 150 countries.
Scharf will need to keep his passport updated as his next swimming quest
will take him to Portugal this November for the Fourth World Championships
for Down Syndrome International. His performance in a Masters swim meet
held in Fort Lauderdale at the end of June allowed him to qualify.
For Scharf, records have been set in the 50 and 100m breaststrokes.
As a part of the 10-member Team USA squad, Scharf is training hard in preparation
for this world event. The team has members representing the United States
from different portions of the country and has volunteer coaches from the
Special Olympic World Games who are giving their time to the swimmers.
Part of Scharf's preparation for the big events comes from his training
with the Hammerhead Masters Swim Club. Coach John Grzeszczak has worked
with Scharf and it getting him ready for the big meet.
"He is no different from anyone else and is treated the same,"
Coach Grzeszczak said of Scharf. "In the Masters swimming meets, he
competes against regular swimmers in his age bracket. He has a terrific
attitude and a great support group. Lee's parents and sisters are wonderful
people. He can do all four competitive strokes and he has a very competitive
spirit and wants to win."
Grzeszczak would like to make on thing perfectly clear about Scharf's
motive. "Lee understands full well what it means to go for a medal
and he will train harder in order to win," Grzeszczak said. "Our
program leading up to this Portugal meet is to work on the kinks in his
strokes and to make him stronger. He is in terrific shape right now and
is getting stronger every day. Everyone on our team respects and loves
him. When we acknowledge his accomplishments, he is embarrassed and just
smiles. He is a joy to work with and it makes me feel special to be able
to coach him."
The Scharf family has deep roots in the community. The family owned
Beach Hardware in Lauderdale by the Sea for about 30 years, until they
sold the store a few years ago. For the past six years, Lee himself has
worked for Publix.
Manager Jessica Windell commented on the impression Lee made on everyone.
"He has such a great attitude," Windell said of Scharf, whose
younger sisters -- Kelly Ann and Sunshine -- swam for Pine Crest High School.
"Our customers love him. Come to the store and he is always in a good
mood and is such a hard worker. Lee is popular with the whole community
and everyone seems to know him."
Ann and Dave Scharf are the proud parents of their eldest, 30-year-old
son Lee. Their lives revolve around his busy schedule and they would not
have it any other way. Swimming and training six days a week, working at
Publix in the mornings and competing for Broward County Special Olympics
sporting events doesn't leave much idle time for Scharf.
Lee plays softball, basketball and soccer, but his favorite sport is
swimming.
"It's all about feeling good," Ann Scharf said. "Lee
is a perfectionist with the sport. We have been supported by some wonderful
people. Linda Mills of Special Olympics, publix Manager Jeff Thorpe, and
Hammerhead Coach John Grezszczak have been instrumental in our son's life.
Lee's two passions are sports and work. We laugh at the fact that Lee has
more medals than anyone in our family. We are all so very proud of him."
For more information about the Special Olympics, visit www.specialolympicsbroward.org. The Museum of Art will
organize An Evening of Inspiration event Oct. 23 to support the Special
Olympics Aquatic Team.
