David Letellier had all of the confidence of a poised, veteran swimmer.
Was his team going to win?
"Oh yeah," Letellier affirmed, clapping his hands together to drive home the point Friday.
Letellier is just one of the 11 swimmers from the Greater Waltham Arc's swim team that was set to compete over the weekend in a Special Olympics competition at Harvard University.
The Greater Waltham Arc provides services to those with developmental disabilities.
Members of this year's team, looking to bring home the gold, ranged from age 11, to 57-year-old Joe O'Connell, a Special Olympics veteran, who said he's competed previously in events like soccer, bocci ball and cross country skiing.
Swimmers will take part this year in events such as the 25- and 50-meter freestyles, relay races, and the 15-meter walk.
The Greater Waltham Arc team dedicated their performances at this year's games to their former longtime teammate Jeffrey Doucette, who died in January, said Heidi Barberio, recreation director for the organization.
"He was from Waltham and used to love to go to go the Special Olympics," Barberio said. "It was one of his big passions.
"These guys all miss him."
To help keep his memory alive, Doucette's name is emblazoned on the sleeves of the squad's blue team shirts.
Barberio said this year's group of swimmers includes three Waltham Elementary students for the first time.
"It's been very nice because this year we've included the kids with us," Barberio said. "We're hoping to include more kids next year."
After the competition was over this weekend, Barberio said the team would head over to a dance and barbecue hosted by the Special Olympics. She said the Greater Waltham Arc squad would also celebrate their performance with their own party.
While working as a team and setting goals are just some of the lessons learned by members of the swim program, Barberio said that one 11-year old boy, who is autistic, conquered a fear.
She said the boy was scared to even get in the water when instructors first worked with him. However, after some training, Barberio said he's now swimming with ease.
"This year he's swimming the whole length of the pool," she said.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
