Swimming to new depths: The Houston County Sharks
By Jaclyn Ramkissoon
The Houston County Sharks are no strangers to winning.
Following an undefeated season, the wheelchair team won their sixth state basketball championship in March against the West Georgia Wolverines, 36–27.
In 10 years, the team has racked up 20 state championships across three different sports — handball, basketball, and football.
Their seasons might be over, but the Sharks will start practicing again in late August.
Head Coach Christy Jones said she’s seen kids grow through the program.
“Cause I think your natural tendency for a student with disabilities is want to help them. And these guys, when they get in our program, they become more independent, more self-sufficient,” Jones said.
The team takes in students from all over Houston County. Students can start playing on the junior varsity teams from the second grade, and the varsity teams from the fourth grade. There is usually 12 to 14 kids on one roster.
“We evaluate the students ability and decide which team he or she will fit in, regardless of their age,” Jones said.
Jones said the adapted sports program is often confused with the Special Olympics, which is for students with intellectual disabilities.
“The adapted sports program is for students with physical disabilities and sensory issues, such as hearing and visual impairments,” Jones said. “Our players are all in regular education classes, but have accommodations to help with their physical and sensory disabilities.”
This is Jones’ first year as head coach, but she’s been there since the beginning. Jones was one of the founding members of the program.
“I’m very proud of these young people. They’ve taught me more than I’ll ever teach them,” Jones said.
Junior Jordan Kozloski is one of those young people. She joined The Sharks in the 2nd grade.
Kozloski lost her left leg in a lawn mower accident when she was just 2 years old. But she didn’t let that slow her down.
“I was very small, and you know, a lot of people took advantage of me on the court. And they’re like ‘she’s not going to do anything,’” Kozloski said. “But I grew up to be a leader and I’m mentoring this team.”
Now she is an alternate for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s women’s team. The team will compete in Tokyo in the 2020 Paralympic Games.
But winning isn’t everything Kozloski says.
“These skills don’t come just by sitting on the couch and watching TV. You know, it comes with time, we’ve worked and worked,” Kozloski said.
And they do work hard. Outside of practice, students have to keep up academically.
“They know they have to keep their grades up. We have the same ‘no pass, no play’ rule. So they know we check their grades on a regular basis,” Jones said.
With all her achievements, Kozloski still strives to improve her skills.
“Not everyone’s perfect, you know. I still got some things I need to work on,” Kozloski said. “But I’m working through this program to get there.”
As a few students plan to play at the collegiate level, Jones said it’s bittersweet.
“On a varsity sport, most of the time coaches are only with their kids for four years, and they do bond with them,” Jones said. “But we could be up to 11, 12 years with our guys.”
As for Kozloski, she will try out again for the national team next year in hopes of making it to Tokyo. Jones is confident she will.
“It’s a Shark family. That’s all you can say,” Jones said. “We lean on each other, the coaches lean on each other, and the kids know they can come to us with anything.”
The Sharks will participate in the wheelchair football state tournament Saturday, May 5.
