Enthusiasm runs high for Special Olympians

May 13, 2012 at 12:06a.m.

GIRARD

Athletes who will compete in the London Olympics say they are thrilled to be part of the spectacle. It’s no different for competitors at the Special Olympics.

“It makes me feel good and confident in myself,” said Owen Botzenhart, 13, Girard, a member of the team representing the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities in the annual competition Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. “I think everyone has come here to see a good show.”

“I’m confident, and I’ll try my hardest,” said his fellow team member Max Jurczyk, 18, of Canfield.

The two were among 248 competitors from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Ashtabula and Geauga counties.

Like their Olympic counterparts, the teams marched around the track in the opening ceremonies to the applause of sun-drenched spectators.

“The community revolves around this,” said Nick Cochran, Girard football coach and one of the event coordinators.

“Just being able to participate means so much to them,” said David Grossman of Girard, who has been actively involved with the Mahoning County team for 28 years.

“It gives them a sense of teamwork, sportsmanship and pride in accomplishment.”

The spectators encouraged the athletes. In one of the early heats, a runner fell, but as he slowly got back on his feet, the audience cheered loudly in support until he crossed the finish line. It did not matter that he finished last.

Events included 100-meter dashes, 1,500-meter runs, long jumps, softball throws and mini-javelin tosses.

Parents of the students say the Special Olympics are always happy times for their children. Wayne Tichnor of Warren said his 11-year old son, Gage, as with so many others, doesn’t let Down Syndrome stop him from competing in several events. “I like to run,” said Gage, a student at Fairhaven School in Niles and a member of the Trumbull County team.

Some of the students are considerably older, but age is meaningless in the competition. Joy Aho of Vienna said her 36-year old son, John, usually participates in golf and bowling, but competed in track for the first time Saturday.

“This is reinforcement for himself and his friends,” said Aho, a Trumbull Community Action Program teacher. “He just loves this.”

Aho cheered on her son with her right arm in a sling. She said she broke it when she fell while teaching at TCAP last week.

Robert Minosky, 23, of Canfield is a veteran of these events and admits he is very competitive but said the games mean something else.

“It’s hard, but it’s all about sportsmanship,” said the Mahoning team member.

That outlook is reflected in the “Special Olympic Oath,” which all the athletes recited aloud before the competition began:

“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

All of them cheered after saying it.