SPECIAL PEOPLE COMPETE DURING SPECIAL OLYMPICS TOURNAMENT

Danny and Nancy Biri enjoy bowling, country music and spending time with their friends. Like many newlywed couples, they like to be near each other, and they often glance at each other during conversation.

They are young, happy and independent, and they don't look like "the type" of people who participate in programs like the Special Olympics bowling tournament that took place Saturday afternoon in West Park Lanes.

But they are. They are participating in the event for the second year, and they said they enjoy the camaraderie and the competition the tournament provides them. They also work together at the VIP Industries plant in Fruitland.

"It's a good sport," said Danny Biri, 26. "There are some people here who are pretty good, but I just like to have fun."

Actually, Danny is one of the people who is "pretty good." He averages about 130 points per game, and he is considered by many to be one of the better bowlers in the tournament. Nancy, who Danny says is "not bad," is also considered a good bowler, and she has managed to beat her husband at least once this year.

Of course, the couple gets plenty of practice for the Special Olympics tournament while they are bowling in one of the three leagues they participate in each week.

"This is the first year I've bowled in three leagues during the winter," said Danny, who only started bowling four years ago. "If I'm not doing this or playing my video games, there's not much else I want to do."

Danny said he's lucky his wife enjoys doing something he likes to do, but he would have been flexible if she hated it. "If she didn't like to bowl, I'd do something else, I guess," he said.

"I like bowling," Nancy said. "He's better, but I still like it."

Although on different teams, the couple performed well during the tournament, which boasted more than 70 participants. Dale Smith, who is the plant manager and their boss, helped keep the Fruitland VIP workers organized while they bowled. He said the Biris' fine performance was something he expected.

"Danny is a hard worker," said Smith, who also bowls in a league with him. "He likes bowling probably better than anything, and he works just as hard as he plays."

Danny said the couple, who also participate in the VIP summer leagues, always enjoy bowling during Special Olympics tournaments.

"It's just fun," he said. "We always have a good time."