Bristol’s golden girl headed to next Games

Fresh off a World Winter Games championship, Special Olympian Amy Henrich sets her sites on summer glory

By Patrick Luce
Posted 5/25/17

After traveling half-way around the world, competing at the highest level of her sport, and coming home a champion, Bristol’s own world-class athlete didn’t just on her laurels. She went …

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Bristol’s golden girl headed to next Games

Fresh off a World Winter Games championship, Special Olympian Amy Henrich sets her sites on summer glory

Posted

After traveling half-way around the world, competing at the highest level of her sport, and coming home a champion, Bristol’s own world-class athlete didn’t just on her laurels. She went right back to training.

Less than two months after winning a gold medal in Giant Slalom at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, Amy Henrich has traded in her ski suit for a swim suit in preparation for the Special Olympics summer games. She is set to compete in multiple swimming events in the Rhode Island Special Olympic Games at the University of Rhode Island next week. For her, it couldn’t come a minute too soon.

“I miss a lot of the people. You meet a lot of people from around the world,” Ms. Henrich said. “When you’re on Team USA, it’s like a big family.”

The 35-year-old Mt. Hope High School graduate will rejoin some of her family members June 2-4 at URI for the summer games, where she will swim the freestyle and 4-by-25-meter relay. The backstroke is also a possibility, but she said she might need some more work on that discipline before competing.

Her slalom skills were certainly on point as she shredded the Austrian Alps, taking first place in the first time trial and never looking back.

“It was pretty exciting. I didn’t think I was going to get gold,” Ms. Henrich said. “I was a little emotional, but they were happy tears.”

Amy began skiing with her dad, Bill Henrich, when she was just 3 years old. The pair skied all over New England, from Yawgoo Valley, to Wachusett, to Waterville Valley and Killington. She tried other sports, including soccer and dance, but skiing was her favorite and her best.

“I love skiing with my dad. It’s one thing that I just love doing,” Ms. Henrich said. “Then I sort of said to my dad I wanted to compete in the Special Olympics.”

That’s when the skiing and the training got more serious. Ms. Henrich met with William Lemieux, a trainer with Bristol Total Fitness on Metacom Avenue. Mr. Lemieux offered to take her on for free to help her prepare for the games. Given some cognitive disabilities, Mr. Lemieux started their training slowly with walking and running. When he was confident Ms. Henrich could handle more, the training advanced.

“From there, we went into strength training for her legs and endurance, and did a lot of core work,” said Mr. Lemieux, a first sergeant with the National Guard. “She’s definitely the first (world class athlete he’s trained).”

Bill and Amy Henrich continued their training on the slopes, frequently driving out to Yawgoo and Wachusett, until she had her chance with the national team.

“I’d never competed in a winter sport. I didn’t know if I’d make it,” Ms. Henrich said. “When my coach selected me and wanted me to go, I was so happy. It was a great experience.”
It also was for her parents, who accompanied Amy to Austria to cheer for her on the biggest stage.

“It was nerve-wracking; my wife couldn’t even watch,” Mr. Henrich said. We’re so proud of her. It was pretty exciting. We got to meet a lot of the athletes. It really was quite an experience.”

Ms. Henrich is hoping for a repeat, this time in the pool. She begins her quest next weekend at URI. The RI Special Olympics Summer Games begin with opening ceremonies June 2 at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Henrich begins competing June 3 at 9 a.m. in the Tootle Aquatic Center on campus. For more information on the games, or to sign up to volunteer, visit specialolympicsri.org.

Special Olympics, Bristol Total Fitness

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