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Special Olympians, supporters enjoy sunny day of competition
By STEVE WILAJ
AUSTINTOWN
From the first event (the 1500 meter run that took place around 10:15 a.m. on Saturday), members of the Austintown Fitch football team were alongside the track, cheering on the athletes at the Mahoning County DD Special Olympics track and field invitational at Fitch High School.
“We just want to encourage them the whole time,” said Nate Fowler, a junior quarterback for the Falcons. “Really just clapping for them and motivating them all day.”
The event, which took place inside Greenwood Chevrolet Falcon Stadium, was the 47th annual meet hosted by the Mahoning County DD.
Nine teams took part — Stark County Public, Ashtabula County, Portage Kent, Mahoning County Public, Trumbull Fairhaven, Hope Academy, Columbiana County, Stark County DD and Mahoning County DD — as approximately 300 special Olympic athletes participated.
“Our athletes look forward every year to coming here, working hard and showing off their talents before they head to summer games in Columbus,” said David Grossman, Chairman and Local Coordinator of Mahoning County DD Special Olympics. “They get their awards and show them off with pride.
“We couldn’t have asked for any nicer weather. It might get a little warm, but we got really lucky with the weather and it will be a wonderful day.”
Temperatures reached the high 80s on the sunny day, but that didn’t slow the athletes.
The meet hosted 36 events.
“They’re all very excited,” said Ken Goldsboro, the track coach at Mahoning County Public. “They look forward to it all the time. Most of these individuals wouldn’t be able to participate with another team. So being part of a team is really important to them and they enjoy it.”
Saturday’s event preceded the Special Olympics state meet at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus next weekend, where 88 counties will be represented.
Mahoning County public — which has been practicing twice-a-week since April 1 — will take eight track athletes to Columbus, as well as eight bowlers for competition.
“This is just a wonderful event,” Goldsboro said. “It’s really well organized and it’s just really great that these athletes get to participate in a team events like this.”
And they were supported by 22 Fitch football players all day.
Donning their game-jerseys, the Falcons players cheered, talked-with and helped out the athletes both in the track events as well as the field events.
“We wanted to come out today to support and give back to our community,” said Anthony Carino, a junior football player. “I think it’s a great thing not just for the people here, but for our football team We’ve been walking around, shaking people’s hands, telling them ‘good luck’ and just cheering people on. That’s what Coach [Phil Annarella] asked us to do all day today.”
Added Fowler: “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to come out here and not only bond with other people, but bond as a team also.”
Grossman said the event received volunteer help from surrounding area high schools, as well as numerous local organizations.
“We can’t put an event on like this without volunteers,” he said. “So we’re definitely lucky to have the volunteer support.”