100-plus take the plunge today for some special people

CORTLAND

Alex Rosowicz was determined to do his part to help those with intellectual and physical challenges, and he didn’t let little things like a 28-degree air temperature, a persistent, stiff wind and subfreezing water get in the way.

“I couldn’t feel my body when I got out,” the shivering Cortland man said, referring to having taken a dip in Mosquito Lake.

Rosowicz’s daring venture into 34-degree water was part of the cold and colorful festivities that made up today’s 10th annual Mosquito Lake Polar Plunge, which took place at the Mosquito Lake State Park beach off state Route 305.

More than 100 people of all ages who wore bikinis, shorts, bathing suits, T-shirts and creative costumes dared to enter and, in a few cases, go under the water. Others who took the run were shirtless and barefoot.

Sponsoring the gathering were Special Olympics Ohio, the Cortland Moose Family Center 1012 and the Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

The 15-minute series of plunges were to raise money for the Columbus-based Special Olympics Ohio organization. Special Olympics Ohio provides the state’s estimated 23,000 children and adults who have special needs with year-round sports and other athletic competitions, noted Paige Ludwig, marketing and development director.

Read more about the frigid event and how much it raised in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.