April 27, 2008: WHEELING —Bobby Johnson smiled with satisfaction and excited as he crossed the finish line, winning first place in the 800-meter dash Saturday during the Special Olympics at Wheeling Jesuit University. A grassroots movement that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities around the world, Special Olympics is hosted by Wheeling Jesuit University each spring.
“I really like walking, so this just feels so good to me,” said Johnson, upon completing the race. “I’m 48 years old, and I like doing this.”
A sea of bright yellow shirts filled the arena as nearly 300 student volunteers from the university and local high schools devoted their time to helping with each competition. The day’s events were coordinated by Brandon Thurber, a junior student from Springdale, Pa., and student Shayla Holenka of Shadyside.
The event kicked off at 10:30 a.m. with the carrying of the Special Olympics torch. Athletes paraded onto the Cardinal 400-meter outdoor track, in the spirit of the international Olympic games, amid cheering and applause from the grandstands.
Linda Cole, Ohio County Special Olympics coordinator, said athletes ranged in age from 8 to 72. She also said the turnout was amazing, thanks to the collaboration of Wheeling Jesuit University and Wheeling Park High School staff and students, as well as community volunteers.
“Special Olympics is an opportunity for the athletes to not only showcase their abilities to run, walk and throw, but to show people they can excel – it’s the pride of the accomplishment even if they don’t win,” Cole said. “The student athletes at Wheeling Jesuit University are instrumental in making this whole track meet work.”
The games are arranged to inspire and challenge competitors and fans alike. Hundreds of athletes with intellectual disabilities competed Saturday.
The Area I Spring Games featured athletes from Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Monongahela and Ohio counties in West Virginia, who competed in shot-put competitions, softball throws, walking and running events, the long jump, bocce and swimming. Music, arts and crafts and other activities completed the day for the athletes. Medals were awarded throughout the day.
WJU’s Circle K International service club worked with local organizers to recruit, train and organize volunteers for the Special Olympics.
According to Wheeling Jesuit junior and Circle K immediate past president Christina Snodgrass, the organization worked in conjunction with other clubs and groups on campus to recruit enough volunteers to help with the event.
During the down time between events, other activities for the athletes took place in the McDonough Center, such as volleyball, basketball and soccer clinics, crafts and dancing. Clinics for individual sports also took place with topics that included cheering, basketball, lacrosse and soccer. Wheeling Jesuit athletes led these clinics.
Adult volunteer Margo Toliver has been helping with the Special Olympics for the past eight years. On Saturday, she brought several members of the Laughlin Memorial Chapel to help with the event as well.
“I think it’s a special event and everyone should experience it,” Toliver said.
Source/Writer: The Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
Staff Writer: Bethany Romanek
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