SPECIAL KIDS BOWL 'EM OVER.

Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Cradling a bright yellow bowling ball in both arms, 10- year-old Monica Monheim wrestles the ball up to the line, gazes down the lane and glances around uncertainly.

Behind her, friends and family stoop over and move their arms forward to demonstrate how to roll a bowling ball.

Monica turns around, takes a deep breath, plops the ball on the floor and watches as it rolls slowly to the right then drifts to the far left, finally knocking down one pin.

Monica spins around, raises both arms in the air and smiles victoriously as her fans cheer wildly.

For the 70 athletes participating in Saturday's bowling tournament hosted by the Santa Clarita Special Olympics group, every success, no matter how small, is significant.

``This gives them a chance to have fun and accomplish something,'' said Monica's mother, Sheryn Monheim of Newhall. ``And I think it's really helped with her shyness.

Eleven-year-old Josh Cioffi, on the other hand, has no problem with shyness. He jumps in the air and hugs everyone in sight each time he rolls the ball down the lane.

``We go bowling every week and it's the high point of our lives,'' said Josh's mom, Julie Cioffi of Castaic. ``Josh has always been real social and outgoing, and I think he's an ice breaker for the other kids. People with Down's Syndrome are just like normal people in that all of them have different personalities. He's an inspiration to everyone.''

Cioffi said she was scared when Josh was born with a mental disability, but soon decided to make the most of both their lives.

``I always knew I'd give everything I had to Josh and he would be everything he could be,'' she said. ``And I think we've made it.''

Held at Valencia Lanes, the bowling tournament is the first event hosted by the Santa Clarita Special Olympics group since it was formed 2 1/2 years ago to serve local residents with mental disabilities, said spokesperson Jackie Hartman, whose 11-year-old daughter is a Special Olympics athlete.

``When you're told as a parent that your child is missing part of her brain, the first thing you think about are all the things she won't be able to do,'' Hartman said. ``To see her bowling is just an incredible joy, even if she knocks one pin down.''

Hartman said she hopes the group will hold the bowling tournament every year and will add another event next year, such as track, basketball, swimming or softball.

There are about 200 athletes involved in the Santa Clarita Special Olympics, Hartman said. Any person with a mental disability qualifies to participate in the program.

Saturday's event pitted Special Olympics athletes from Santa Clarita against those from the San Fernando Valley and Tehachapi.

One of the older athletes, 58-year-old Saundra Wolfberg, said she learned to bowl as a child but gave it up later in life.

``Then a couple years ago I said, `Why is that ball just sitting in the closet?' '' she said. ``So I decided to get it out and take it up again.''

Wolfberg also participates in Special Olympics swimming programs, which she says are helping her recover from hip and knee replacement surgery.

The Special Olympics athletic events not only help the athletes stay in shape, but also provide important connections with others, said coach Steve Bratzel.

``When people with mental disabilities get older, they tend to be a lot more reclusive,'' Bratzel said. ``These kind of events give them a chance to interact socially. They help keep them happy and spiritually balanced.''

Athlete Jeana Rubio, 34, of Saugus said the Special Olympics programs are helping her reach her goals.

``All my dreams are about sports,'' she said. ``I play floor hockey, basketball, track, but my favorite dream is about gymnastics. I'd love to do that someday.''

Rubio's mother, Janice French, said the Special Olympics athletes show a rare spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

``No matter what their score is, they all cheer and laugh,'' she said. ``Even though they're competing, they're just as happy if they win or lose and they're always glad to see each other. I think that's something we can all learn from.''

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Photo:

Special Olympics bowler John Cioffi, 11, is thrilled to have left only one pin standing.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer