Local gold medalists:

Two Special Olympics athletes from Lake County received gold medals in a weeklong competition last week in New Jersey. Gurnee's Alex Dmytrenko was a triple gold-medalist in the Special Olympics USA Games. He took gold in 100-yard backstroke and in 100-yard freestyle. He also received gold in the 4x50-yard medley relay with three teammates. Jason Coy of the unincorporated Lake County area of Wildwood competed on the Team Illinois volleyball team that captured gold. Lincolnshire's Peter Hill finished fifth in the 800-meter run and received a participation ribbon for running long jump. Nearly 3,500 athletes competed in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports. The athletes were supported by 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and an anticipated 70,000 spectators. Team Illinois sent a delegation of 52 athletes and 15 coaches from across the state.