Special Olympians converge on Hylton
Jeff Mankie/For the News & Messenger
Alex Walesky, left, hands off the ceremonial torch to Drew Belote, 19, right, with his father Drew Belote, center, at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics 2008 North Section track meet at C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge on Saturday. Nearly 140 athletes from the Northern Region of the state gathered to compete in track and field events, as a warmup for the state Special Olympics meet in Richmond June 6-8.
Nearly 140 athletes participated in the area's annual Special Olympics games on Saturday at C.D. Hylton High School.
The participants, whose ages range from less than 10 to more than 60 years old, can move onto the statewide games in Richmond next month, said Ralph Abruzere, director of the games.
"When they compete, no matter if they are in first, second, third or fourth place, they are still all win-ners," he said on Saturday.
The athletes enjoy the competition, no matter how they place, he said.
Each athlete competed in a track and field event, and then participated in a relay race.
In addition to the competitors, about 115 volunteers worked to pull off the event on Saturday morning. High school Key Clubs, service clubs, Air Force members, police and rescue workers volunteered at the event.
"You'd be surprised how the youngsters open [the volunteers'] eyes," Abruzere said.
Games played on Saturday included a 10-meter walk, assisted relay races, wheelchair races, a softball throw, a long jump, shot put and tennis ball throwing competitions.
Staff writer Lillian Kafka can be reached at 703-878-8065.
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