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Athletes prepare for summer games
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Austintown Fitch football players cheered on the athletes as they completed their race during the State Summer Games warm-up event on June 18 at Austintown Fitch High School.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Each athlete received a medal after finishing the event they competed in during the State Summer Games warm-up event on June 18 at Austintown Fitch High School.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Athletes competed in a mini javelin throwing contest on June 18 at Austintown Fitch High School to prepare for the State Summer Games in Columbus.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Friends helped each other throw the ball during the softball event at the State Summer Games warm-up event at Austintown Fitch High School on June 18.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Athletes participated in the shot put event on June 18 at Austintown Fitch High School in preparation for the upcoming State Summer Games in Columbus.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Austintown Fitch High School hosted a warm-up event on June 18 for those who are participating in the Special Olympics in Columbus on June 24-26. More than 300 athletes who are participating from Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage and Stark Counties. “A lot of the athletes like to come out and showcase their talents locally before they take them to Columbus,” said David Grossman, chairman and local coordinator of the Mahoning County DD Special Olympics Committee. The warm-up event consisted of several activities to prepare the athletes for the State Summer Games in Columbus. There were a variety of running events, softball, mini javelin throwing and other games that are going to occur during the State Summer Games. This year was the 47th year of the State Summer Games and Austintown Fitch has been the location for the warm-up event for all 47 years. Volunteers from all over the valley attend the event to help out with the athletes, the concessions, the organization of different events and whatever else needed to be done. Many of the volunteers were from different civic groups, like the Masons and Knights of Columbus, and students from Austintown, Boardman, Poland and Canfield schools. Groups of three to four athletes would make their way to a special tent after they finished their game. Each of the athletes earned first, second, third or fourth place and received a medal for completing the games. The warm-up event provided an opportunity for the athletes to practice in different areas they may want to improve on before heading to Columbus for the State Summer Games.