By Kirk Stewart
Bryant Hornet Stadium was the site of the Area 10 Track and Field competition for Special Olympics on Saturday, April 25.
The morning session focused on school aged athletes. During that session, 98 athletes competed in various running events and field events. The track events included 4x100m relay, 1500m run, 800m walk, 800m run, 400m walk, 400m run, 200m run, 100m walk, 100m run, 50m run, 25m walk, wheelchair race, 25m assisted walk. The field events included long jump, softball throw, shot put, high jump and tennis ball throw.
The afternoon session featured the adult meet. There were 180 adult athletes that competed.This was the first year that Special Olympics Area 10 included athletes ages 5 – 7.
Many came to compete and participate in the festivities.It was a day of more than just track and field. Also included was a fair midway style environment where athletes could play games, have their faces painted and dance to a DJ-led set of music. While the athletes weren’t enjoying themselves at the midway, they were fed by local favorites such as Larry’s Pizza, Little Caesars, Chick-Fil-A and Little Debbie. All of which were donated to this special day.[more]
Between the two sessions, the athletes were welcomed by State Senator Shane Broadway and Kasi Lunsford was on hand to sing the National Anthem. Scott Houge assisted four of the athletes in the running of the torch. Finally, Danny from Pathfinder presented the Special Olympics Oath, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”.
Special Olympics was established to add quality to the lives of its participants. But ask any of those that attend, volunteer, train and/or encourage and they will tell you that Special Olympics exists to add quality to the lives of everyone.
Training director, René Prewett said, “The best thing about working around these athletes is the fact that no matter what kind of disability they are faced with, they give their all.”
An example of giving their all is found in Richard "Dicky" Emerson of Friendship. Dicky is in his 50’s and unfortunately took a tumble while running in a relay race. Several volunteers ran over to attend to him and he responded, “It’s OK, I’m tough”. He got up, dusted himself off and finished his leg of the relay. And, later he ran the 100m dash and capped off the day with the softball throw. It was determined the following day that he had actually fractured his wrist in the fall.
Prewett added, “Consider what the world calls ‘normal’. If we have anything slightly wrong with us, we use that as an excuse to sit down and do nothing or we whine about it. But I go out to these events and see that nothing stops these athletes.”
Special Olympics is an important part of these special athletes’ lives.
Over 200 volunteers from Bryant High School, Benton High School, Geyer Springs First Baptist Church student ministry, Ouachita Baptist University, Henderson State University, Lake Hamilton, Civitan Clubs from Hot Springs and various other people who just wanted to be part of Special Olympics.
Special thanks was extended to Tom Farmer for all his help in making this such a successful event on the Bryant campus.
The event was spearheaded by Area 10 Director, Ann Hudson, René Prewett, Jennifer Grantham, and Brecca Jenkins.
