Going for the Gold
Local athletes win big at Tulare County Special Olympics
TULARE — It did not matter if they were first or last across the finish line, or if they jumped half a foot or 6 feet during the running long jump — at the end of each event, the smiles were all the same. Each athlete participating in the 2017 Tulare County Special Olympics, held Friday at Bob Mathias Stadium in Tulare, appeared to be satisfied, proud and happy.
It all began with Monty Chapin of The Creative Center, Visalia, running in with the Olympic Torch and lighting the cauldron shortly after the singing of the National Anthem.
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” the athletes shouted out in unison at the start of the opening ceremonies as Gary Wong from The Creative Center of Visalia, led them in the recital. It was an oath of heartfelt words each athlete took to heart.
“Are you ready to have some fun,” Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak asked the crowd. “We want you to be successful. We want you to have fun. And we love you all.”
The athletes exploded in applause and cheer.
Starting with the wheelchair races, two Reagan Elementary students — Karolina Cisneros and Juan Alcantar of Lindsay — laughed as they raced, wheels turning as fast as they could, toward the finish line.
In all, 840 athletes from 72 teams participated in the festivities, including students from Vandalia, Bartlett, Burton Elementary, Terra Bella, Summit Charter High School, Porterville High, Pixley, Los Robles, Lindsay, Strathmore, and an array of local homes and programs, including PSW in Porterville.
“They have all been looking forward to this,” said Lori Posey, special education teacher at Olive Street School about the eight boys the school brought to the event. “They have been practicing and practicing. This is a big day. They are excited and they are ready. I brought my whole class. I’m very proud of them.”
One athlete, Curtis Garcia of PSW, stumbled during his 25-meter assisted walk. But once he stood again, he smiled as the crowd cheered, and continued his race without a glance back.
With both sides of the tracks being used — one for wheelchair and walking events, and the other for running events — and different areas of the field set aside for field events, teachers, staff and volunteers had the students moving promptly from one event to another.
“I got a gold [medal],” said Miguel Hernandez of Bartlett Middle School as he high-fived a greeting to a volunteer. “I did it. I told you I would.”
He was not the only person beaming. Teammate Isaiah Turl had also won a medal after throwing a softball a far distance.
Adal Torres, 10, of LB Hill/vandalia Elementary, earned a silver medal.
“I’m super proud. They have been practicing every day — learning when to start and when to throw,” said special education teacher Alyson Leos. “They have been super excited for about a month.”
Nine-year-old Andy Pena, an athlete representing Terra Bella, appeared to be flying through the air just prior to landing in the sand — a jump that earned him a gold medal.
The athletes’ smiles never wavered as they participated in event after event. One race had David Murillo of Olive Street School, and Ruben Guajardo of Maple Elementary, of Tulare, in a photo finish. But it didn’t matter to them. The two 10-year-olds walked away talking, and smiling at each other — both saying they were winners. And they were.