Dog’s day: Fiji takes home gold

June 17, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

BOARDMAN

When Westerville police officer Bryan Schwartz arrived with his dog, Fiji on Monday afternoon to register for the 38th annual Ohio Police and Fire Games, he said that he was humbled just to be able to take part in such a spectacular event.

On Tuesday at the Boardman Police department during its K-9 Patrol competition, it was Fiji who humbled the field.

The four year-old, Czechoslovakian-bred Belgium Malinois took gold medals in three events (apprehension work, building search and article search) and will now look to make it a clean sweep if she can win Wednesday’s three explosive and narcotics events.

“We’ve been a team for two years now and I must say that she is a very committed dog; one that is totally focused on her job, Schwartz said.

“She’s a really great street dog and while it goes without saying that I am her biggest fan, I know our department is very pleased with her as well.”

Of Tuesday’s seven scheduled events, only five were able to “weather” the “weather” with softball and tennis falling victim to Mother Nature’s cruel watering schedule.

“We’re extremely disappointed that we couldn’t get out to play. There was a lot of effort put forth in regard to securing fields and umpires and while we tried, we just couldn’t get past the weather,” said softball coordinator Eric Dattilo, a lieutenant with the Beaver Police Department.

In the case of tennis, action has been pushed back to Thursday.

Jim Willock, chief of Mill Creek Metroparks, coordinates both the tennis and racquetball events.

“While racquetball went well and we were able to award medals, the weather has forced us to push tennis back a couple of days,” he said. “We’re still hoping to get both singles and doubles completed.”

Basketball competition drew three entries with the Youngstown Police Department, Akron Police Department and Fort Wayne (Indiana) Fire Department taking part.

“We have the Youngtown, Hubbard and Austintown Police Department’s, and Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office represented as we tried to include those from the area that wanted to take part,” YPD coach Shakir Perkins said.

Youngstown lost their opening game to Akron, 52-34 but came back to defeat Fort Wayne, 48-44 in the nightcap.

Jessica Shields, a Howland High School graduate and two-year letterwinner at Kent State University, is a member of the YPD squad.

“It’s always the goal to win, but we also want to have a lot fun in the process. I love hoops, love my city and just want to play my best this week,” she said.

Akron remains the only undefeated squad after posting a 60-45 decision over Fort Wayne.

Former Cleveland State University baseball player and Akron Garfield High School cager Kyle Shaffer is a floor leader for APD.

“Many of us are athletes who just want to continue competing and this event is a great way to keep us in the game,” Shaffer said.

On the back neckline of each APD jersey is the number 1031, which is their way of honoring the memory of Justin Winebrenner, who was shot and killed while off-duty last November.

“This is our way of honoring Justin. He was a good friend and classmate of mine at the police academy and a great friend to many of our team members here today,” Akron coach Paul Hill said.

Fort Wayne coach Coliss Wallace, who is nursing a torn ACL and is sidelined for the tournament, said his team is using this competition as a tune-up for the World Games in two weeks in Fairfax, Virginia.

“We lost to Greece, the eventual world champion a couple of years ago after leading them for over three-quarters of the game,” he said. “That is something we have not forgotten and are using a tournament like this in order to get ready for the World Games.”

Joe Conroy, former YSU women’s volleyball coach and current intramural coordinator, heads the basketball event.

“This is an all-volunteer event and I just saw an opportunity to assist a great group of individuals,” he said. ”It’s my way of saying thank you to very special group; one that everyone should be thankful to have assisting them on a daily basis. They put their lives on the line for us every time they put on their uniform.”

Fishing, pistol and golf competitions were also able to take place despite the threatening weather.

Golfers enjoyed the Mill Creek North course on Monday, played at Canfield’s Kennsington Golf Club on Tuesday with the 54-hole competition set to conclude today at Mill Creek’s South course.

“We have 36 golfers and everything is going well, in spite of the weather,” coordinator Dan Valentine said. “Each course is in beautiful shape with those participating getting a chance to meet and play against others from across the state. It has been a fun time for all.”

Basketball finals will take place today beginning 4 p.m. at YSU’s Stambaugh Stadium.