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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Athletes threw softballs as hard as they could at the Special Olympics event on June 10 to prepare for the Ohio State Summer Games in Columbus.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Coaches and athletes from different areas in Northeast Ohio walked around the track at Austintown Fitch High School before the Special Olympics began.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Athletes were given medals and other awards for their participation in the Special Olympics events at Austintown Fitch on June 10.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The athletes participated in different track and field events during the Special Olympics event at Austintown Fitch on June 10.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Athletes participated in a mini javelin throwing contest on June 10 at Austintown Fitch High School during the Special Olympics event.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
A warm up event was hosted at the Austintown Fitch High School football stadium on June 9 for athletes who are participating in the State Summer Games in Columbus on June 23-25.
Many athletes like to come and showcase their talents locally before they head down to Columbus. This is the 48th year the State Summer Games have occurred and Austintown Fitch has been the practice location for all 48 years. The athletes participate in several events like softball, mini javelin and many others that will take place at the State Summer Games.
David Grossman, chair and coordinator of the Mahoning County DD Special Olympics committee, worked with volunteers and coaches to help make the practice Olympics run a success.
“It’s very fun to see people from that far away come down for something like this and all come together. It’s a fun way to incorporate everyone,” said Hannah Edwards, Canfield High School student.
Between 100 and 130 students and people from different organizations and clubs throughout the Mahoning Valley take time to volunteer at this event. Many volunteers came from civic groups in the valley.
“Some faces change, but most athletes have been here before,” said Grossman.
There were around 350 athletes who participated. Many of them are using this as a practice for the State Summer Games and others who didn’t qualify for the State Summer Games came to show the community what they can do. There were athletes from Trumbull Fairhaven, Mahoning County DD, Columbiana and more.