Southampton Standout Athletes Ross Ebrus, William Segarra Will Represent New York At Special Olympics USA Games Next June

Two standout multi-sport athletes from Southampton High School learned earlier this summer that they would have a chance to represent their school and their state at the national level, and in so doing, would make school history.

Ross Ebrus and William Segarra were chosen to be part of the New York team in the Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Both Ebrus and Segarra will compete in track and field.

The athletes were chosen based on their stellar performances at the 2019 Special Olympics State Games. If they perform well enough at the USA Games next summer, they could potentially make their way to the World Games.

The duo will be the first Southampton athletes to compete at the USA Games.

Ebrus, 18, and Segarra, 21, have been part of the Southampton School District’s Unified Sports Program — in which students with and without intellectual disabilities play and compete together — since they were middle schoolers, discovering a passion not only for track and field but for other sports as well. They both played unified basketball, floor hockey, and bowling, competing in local and regional events. But track and field is the sport where they have both shown the most talent and ability. Segarra specializes in the 1,600-meter race and long jump, while Ebrus’s signature events are the 800-meter race and shot put.

During an interview over Zoom last week, both Ebrus and Segarra spoke about their love for sports, track and field in particular, and expressed their excitement about qualifying for the USA Games. Segarra, with a broad smile, said he was of course looking forward to competing again — as well as getting ice cream during the trip, which was a highlight of their last trip to compete at the state games. Ebrus initially had some hesitation about the prospect of making the long journey to Florida without his parents, until he learned that Brian Tenety, who has been a Special Olympics coach and headed the district’s unified sports program for nearly 20 years, had also been chosen to help coach the New York team.

“That was the deciding factor for him; Brian coming, and the three of them being back together,” said Ross’s mother, Roni Ebrus. “Initially it was a little scary for him, but now it’s thrilling.”

Ebrus and Segarra have become standout athletes thanks to a combination of parental support, their own personal desire to succeed, and the constant guidance of Tenety. His approach to working with athletes like Ebrus and Segarra does not diverge from the approach he’s taken with student-athletes competing in other interscholastic sports he’s coached in the district over the years.

“There is no difference,” he said. “You’re expected to give it your best and succeed to the best of your ability.”

Their abilities have increased steadily over time because of their dedication to training. Segarra runs 5 miles daily, his mother, Jill Segarra, said, adding that he loves to work out at the gym as well.

“Running makes me feel good,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun. When I run, I feel energetic and strong, and that’s a good feeling.”

Ross said running makes him feel “happy and excited,” and proud of himself as well.

For both Ebrus and Segarra, developing a stronger competitive instinct was a bit of a learning curve early on, but it’s another skill they’ve honed over time.

Ms. Segarra recalled having to remind her son, when he was in elementary school, that he was supposed to run fast, and pass his classmates on the track.

“He told me he didn’t want to hurt his friends’ feelings,” she recalled, with a smile.

Members of both Ross’s and William’s families will travel separately to Florida to watch them compete and cheer them on next year, but for those who can’t make it, the games will be broadcast on ESPN.

Their parents are proud, and thrilled about what the experience will mean for their sons, and the school.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for Ross,” Ms. Ebrus said. “And I think it’s a great thing for the school and the whole program. They’re the most enthusiastic group of athletes you’ll ever see; their whole heart is there, you can see it in their eyes. It’s an honor to watch them enjoy what they do so much.”

Both parents credited Tenety for getting their sons to where they are today.

“He’s extremely empathetic,” Ms. Ebrus said. “He’s really the go-to guy.”

“He goes beyond the call of duty,” Ms. Segarra added. “He’s an amazing guy. Whatever you need, he’ll try to get it for you. He treats William like his own kid.”