BAY MINETTE —Gage Swearingen and Thomas O'Neal proudly walk the halls of Baldwin County High School, wearing medals won at the Alabama Special Olympics.

Swearingen took home the silver medal for the 200 meter run and the gold medal for shot put. O'Neal earned a bronze medal for the shot put and placed fourth in the 400 meter.

The two represented Baldwin County at the state trials this past weekend in Troy after winning the top spots in the same events during the Baldwin County Special Olympics at the end of April.

Both have been participating in the Special Olympics for five years now, with Swearingen attending the state trials all five years. This is O'Neal's second time to represent his home county.

"I like running," O'Neal said, noting that is his favorite event. Swearingen said he likes going to the Special Olympics because "it helps me to be stronger."

Big smiles brightened the two boys' faces when talking about their feats at both competitions.

"It felt good," O'Neal said. "It felt very good."

Swearingen agreed. "It was awesome."

The 19-year-olds are in their 12th year of school, and will remain at Baldwin County High School for two more years, honing their skills through classes at the North Baldwin Center for Technology.

Swearingen is participating in the Fish and Wildlife program there, while O'Neal takes classes for horticulture.

"I'm going to go to Faulkner (State Community College) and major in landscaping," O'Neal said. "I like to cut grass."

"I'm going to Faulkner to help the baseball team," Swearingen said, adding that he also wants to be a farmer.

Swearingen is the middle son of Pam and Garrett Swearingen. The youngest of three children, O'Neal is the only son of Richard and Chris O'Neal.