Camins By Lisa Zola-DeLibero Jonathan Camins loves floor hockey, track, softball, gymnastics, bowling, flag football, basketball, and has competed in all of these events at the
. In June, he will be one of the competitors on the traditional soccer team, hoping to win gold, but focusing first on camaraderie. “I love to compete, and I love to play sports, but it’s not all about winning,” said the 18-year-old Camins, who has been competing in the Special Olympic games since the age of 9. “It’s all about keeping your head up high. It’s better winning, but it’s OK if you lose. It’s really about getting better, and coming backing the next day and working harder. It’s about being a team.” Of all the sports Camins, a huge New York Rangers fan, has been involved in, floor hockey is his favorite. This year, he is very excited about playing soccer, and is training hard for the competition. “I am doing a lot of running, practicing dribbling the ball, and controlling the soccer ball while running,” he said. “I practice around the house and at the team practices.” With three older brothers who are part of this active family — Jared and Jacob Camins-Esakov and Joshua Camins — Jonathan keeps mom Sharon Camins and dad Jeffrey Esakov very busy. “Jonathan loves to go biking,” Esakov said. “One day, he and I put our bikes in the car, drove up to Washington Crossing Park, and cycled over 20 miles. It was great.” To keep in shape for all of the sports that he plays, Camins trains with teammates and coaches, focusing on healthy eating. “It is important to stay healthy so you can feel healthy and this way, you can feel good about yourself,” he said. “I play these sports to keep in shape, and I also like to have fun.” The soccer team, which this year consists of all boys, is chosen on a lottery basis, giving each athlete a chance to be on team New Jersey. Coaches of each individual team invite the athletes to come and try out so they can watch the kids play, Esakov said. “They fill each position with skilled players, and the other half are chosen randomly. This ends up working out for everyone,” he said. “New Jersey really tries to make it fair for all of the athletes who participate.” A humble individual, Camins has had an exceptional amount of success in past Olympic games, and his hoping to add another medal to his collection. He has 32 golds, 29 silvers, and 7 bronze medals to his credit. “Honestly, even though I did get a lot of medals, I would continue to play in the Special Olympic Games even if I didn’t get any medals,” he said. Camin’s dad said he and Sharon have a philosophy. “We treat Jonathan just like his three brothers. We set high expectations for him, and he meets them all of the time, whether it’s at home, in school or on a field,” he said. “They don’t have to remind me what to do,” Camins added. “I have my chores, and I know when they have to be done. And I do them.” Camins will be back at Hopewell High School this coming school year, after attending the Kingsway learning Center in Moorestown. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing video games, pick-up baseball games, badminton and volleyball. “I really like to have fun just playing back yard games with my brothers and friends,” he said. Expecting to work at a local gym and fitness center in the fall, Camins also has plans to work at a physical therapy place. “I want to work in the field of sports and health management in the future,” he said. “I would like to be a gym teacher or assistant trainer one day.” Right now, Camins is focused on doing his best at the upcoming soccer games he will be playing at Mercer County Park the week of June 14–21. His philosophy is right on the money. “I tell my friends that in life, you learn from your mistakes, you run to get better, and always remember…it’s just a game,” he said.
Special Olympian David Shaffer, a resident of Pennington, is also expected to compete in this year’s national competition. The Hopewell Express was unable to schedule an interview.
Camins,
