More than 330 athletes participate in Special Olympics in Girard

May 14, 2017 at 12:08a.m.

GIRARD

Girard Special Olympics

A smile crossed Ron Frisbie’s face as he looked at the gold medal draped around his neck. Yet for him, the biggest rewards were sheer camaraderie and simply having the opportunity to interact with others.

“Whether I came in second-place, first or third, I had a good time,” the 47-year-old East Palestine man said. “I have a good time being with friends and my coaches and doing what I want to do.”

Suffice it to say Frisbie had plenty of good times, since he was among more than 330 athletes of all ages from seven counties who took part in Saturday’s eighth annual Special Olympics Track and Field Meet in Girard’s Arrowhead Stadium, off Highland Avenue.

Nine teams representing Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Ashtabula, Stark, Portage and Geauga counties participated in the free morning and afternoon competitions, noted Judy Barber, an event organizer who also is a Girard High School English and communications teacher. An estimated 350 volunteers, including about 250 Girard High students, also assisted, she added.

Founding sponsors were Fairhaven Special Olympics, Girard-Liberty Rotary Club and Girard City School District.

Special Olympics is dedicated to providing children and adults who have intellectual challenges with year-round training and athletic competitions in numerous sports. Such opportunities allow them to develop greater physical fitness, experience happiness and take part in sharing their gifts, friendship and skills with family members, other athletes and the community, its mission statement says.

Frisbie took home a gold medal for having finished first for the Columbiana County Comets in his age class in the 1,500-meter run, which was nearly four laps around the outdoor track. He also competed in another run later.

Frisbie, who came to the area in 2003 from Cupertino, Calif., said he does a lot of walking at home and through a barn on his property. In addition, he rides a bicycle about three times a week 4 miles round-trip between his home and a local store, he continued.

“I’m very proud of him all the time,” said Frisbie’s mother, Vivian, who added that portions of his bicycle rides are on hilly terrain.

Also pleased with his athletic prowess and personality was his coach, Samantha Smith, a special-education teacher with the Beaver School District.

“He’s a very good guy, and he’s the best distance-runner we have. He comes to every practice we have. He’s very dedicated and has a lot to be proud of,” she said.

Other events the athletes took part in were the 100- and 800-meter walks and runs, long and running long jumps, 100-meter walk for men, mini javelin, shotput, 200-meter men’s and women’s runs, wheelchair races, softball throws, 50-meter assisted and unassisted walks for women and several relay races.

Gemma Simpson of Salem was all smiles as she proudly displayed a silver medal she had earned in the softball-throw competition.

“I’m happy, very happy,” said Simpson, who was part of the Columbiana County Special Olympics team and who also listed swimming as a favorite sport and activity.

Of course, the success of such an undertaking depends largely on many volunteers willing to perform a variety of tasks. Among those who were more than up to the task included Girard High freshmen Anna Pizzulo and Raegan Cochran, both of whom play on their school’s volleyball team.

“It feels good to help,” Raegan said.

The girls’ primary duties were to hug and congratulate the athletes as they crossed the finish line, help them receive their medals, cheer them on and hold part of a rope that circled the track, Anna explained.

The Special Olympics offered the athletes many friendly competitive events, but perhaps more important are the positive life lessons that can be gleaned by their example, said Bo Greene, head coach and coordinator for the Trumbull County Fairhaven Bulldogs.

“You can really learn from these kids, even from the mere determination and passion they show for what they’re doing,” added Greene, who also is Niles High School’s track and football coach.

Many of the athletes have had to deal with and overcome difficult challenges, yet were willing to compete. In addition, they don’t have any regard for one’s race or gender and want to be treated like anyone else, he continued.

“I’m very proud of how they they’ve progressed,” Greene said.

Making remarks during opening ceremonies were Stan Nudel, a Girard-Liberty Rotary member, along with Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda and state Rep. Glenn W. Holmes of McDonald, D-63rd.