Dan Widing to Compete in Special Olympics Soccer Tournament

Within moments of meeting Avon Special Olympian Dan Widing, you can't help but smile with him.

People are important to Widing, whether it's playing soccer on his Farmington Valley Special Olympics team – as he is this weekend – working as a bagger at , or spending time with family and friends.

As a global messenger, raising awareness about Special Olympics Connecticut, Widing has a lot of pride in being part of a team.

"I like to support the team, friends, sportsmanships," Widing said. "I'm very proud. I care about people a lot."

He carried the torch part of the way down Route 44 in Canton for the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday that kicks off the opening ceremony. His father, Jon Widing, chaplain for the and , ran with him.

He started doing Special Olympics in Delaware when he was 7.

"I loved it," he said.

Hockey is his favorite sport because of the equipment, followed by soccer and then basketball. He keeps active, going for walks "everywhere."

"I need my exercise," he said.

Playing left wing for his Special Olympic soccer team, Widing is goal-driven.

"I love to score and score some goals and kick some soccer balls. It's fun," Widing said.

His dreams stretch beyond sports. Widing is writing a book about European world history, which he works on daily. He also enjoys traveling with his mom, Carol.

Yet Widing always puts others before himself. At Big Y, he said, "The people come first." He treats them like friends or family.

It all comes back to teamwork.

"Being friends, teammates, we play together, we support each other and we care," Widing said.