POULSBO – Following a tragic bicycle accident when he was 9 years old, doctors anticipated that North Kitsap High School student Chad Steyer-Morgan would never be able to walk or even talk again.

The doctors’ noted inhibitions would have likely included winning gold medals in the swimming portion of the Special Olympics.

But that’s exactly what Steyer-Morgan has done. And he’ll again take to the waters today in an attempt to add even more gold medals to the five he won at last year’s regional and state competition.

“He’s doing extremely well,” said Steyer-Morgan’s mother, Kathy. “The doctors are really happy and we’re really happy.”

Steyer-Morgan’s bicycle accident at age 9 was a traumatic brain injury, requiring nine hours of surgery to repair his shattered skull.

When he surpassed some expectations by walking and talking again, many obstacles remained. He had to re-learn everything, even tying his own shoes. He instantly dropped from the fifth to the second grade.

But he never lost his will to win. And he continues to make strides in his learning and the place that perhaps gives him some of his greatest satisfaction — the pool.

“Chad is an inspiration because of his drive and desire to compete,” said North Kitsap coach Darla Smith. “And this is a kid that’s not supposed to be walking or talking or able to feed himself.”

Steyer-Morgan said his goal is to bring home more gold medals. He’ll be happy as long as “I did well and had fun competing,” he commented.

Like many of the some 15 swimmers who’ll compete for North Kitsap at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way today, Steyer-Morgan’s progress and victories in the pool are nothing short of miracles. That has Smith and the other coaches, parents, volunteers and, of course, the swimmers, eagerly anticipating today’s event.

“I’m excited, I can’t stand it,” said Smith, who’s in her fifth year as coach. “This is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.”

In fact, Smith said she’s discovered her true passion in helping the students and wants to do so full time. She’s planning on attending school in the fall so she can work in the classroom as well as the pool.

“It took me 20 years and lots of career changes to figure out this is what I wanted to do,” Smith joked.

Competing for Special Olympics also helps the students in the classroom, said North Kitsap special education teacher Judy Chase, who also coaches the team.

“I’ve noticed that there’s a correlation between the swimming and their academics,” Chase said. “You just see the improvement.”

Chase has taught in the North Kitsap School District for 22 years, mostly in Special Education. Though she said she’s retiring after this year, that doesn’t mean she’s going to quit the Special Olympics program by any means, she said.

“I might have to do this again,” Chase commented. “I told Darla that if she does it, I’m gonna do it.”

Many of the swimmers are from Poulsbo, but Smith said some are from Silverdale because there is no Special Olympics team there. It will also be a mixture of those coming back who’ve earned gold medals before and those who are looking for the gold for the first time.

“It’s the new combined with the old,” Smith said. “It’s a whole team effort.”

Smith said she’s consistently amazed with the level of camaraderie on the team.

“They all really want to do well together,” she said. “When one person’s discouraged, they all hone in and help them. And one person’s doing well, they all stand and cheer and scream for them.”

Those who achieve a first place finish will move onto the state competition, held in June in the same facility.

There will also be a few unified relays pairing two Special Olympics swimmers with two from the Poulsbo Piranhas swim team. Those competing from the Piranhas are Anna Dale, Kathryn Parker and Hannah Croswell.

Aside from the Piranhas, Smith and Chase and the many parents that help, three other teens Eva Kleiven, Allie Lunden and Treva Van Cleave donate their time with the team in both the water and out. They each gave several reasons for why they volunteer, but one in particular unites them all: seeing the Olympians’ faces light up when they finish.

“It’s so awesome seeing them achieve their goals,” Kleiven said. “I just love all these kids.”

“They’re so excited about competing everyday,” Van Cleave said. “It really gives you a new outlook on life.”

Lunden added that there is an unfortunate misnomer in the Olympics that “everybody wins,” and that the competitiveness isn’t there. That’s simply not the case, she said.

“They work so hard and it’s so competitive,” she commented. “It’s very empowering to see.”

Lunden, who often works with Steyer-Morgan, added a personal experience with the Olympian.

“When he finished first at the state competition last year, he raised his arms and yelled, ‘Allie!’” she said. “That’s one of the biggest reasons I come here and do this.”