Local Special Olympics athletes compete in end of year event

Posted 5/24/21

CLEWISTON- The Hendry County Special Olympics 5th Annual Middle & High School Culminating Event was hosted by Clewiston Middle School on Friday, May 21

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Local Special Olympics athletes compete in end of year event

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CLEWISTON- The Hendry County Special Olympics 5th Annual Middle & High School Culminating Event was hosted by Clewiston Middle School on Friday, May 21,  at Cane Field. Athletes from LaBelle High School, LaBelle Middle School, Clewiston High School, and Clewiston Middle School arrived early that morning, ready to compete in track and field events like standing long jump, wheelchair obstacle race, and softball throw.

Hendry County Special Olympics Coordinator, Crystal Rodriguez, lined up her student volunteers on either side of the track. They cheered, “We are proud of you! We are proud of you!” while each team of athletes entered the stadium.

The audience, filled with middle school students, joined in welcoming the teams and roared with applause. The positive energy began radiating from each of the competitors, and they continued to encouraged each other while warming up for the competition.

While doing their stretches, a few athletes expressed that they might not be fast enough for the upcoming 25 meter run. Others agreed, they were nervous to approach the start line.

“I heard this saying once, it goes- do your best and forget the rest!” said Ethan Jarvis, a 10th grade athlete from Clewiston High School who had come to compete.

The other students began to smile and nod in agreement with Jarvis, and patted each other on the back. They encouraged each other as they approached the starting line together.

Many of the volunteers and athletes enjoyed a cool snow cone and some popcorn, in between events, courtesy of Vargas Rentals. Hendry Sodexo, in charge of the school district’s food service department, donated lunch for those volunteering during the event.

The competition went on for hours, filled with smiles and happy cheers, and each of the athletes did their absolute best. There was no shortage of hugs and high fives as the event came to an end.

The winners of the culminating event who received ribbons were:

Wheelchair Obstacle Race 1st Place: Natalie Cervantes

Standing Long Jump:

1st Place: Antonio Goree, Nicholas Zinaman,

2nd Place: Jose Tinoco, Zackery Harris, Mateo Hernandez

3rd Place: Pablo Guzman

Softball Throw:

1st Place: Sammy Cruz

2nd Place: Antonio Goree

3rd Place: David Davis

4th Place: Nickolas Zinaman

25 Meter Wheelchair Race:

1st Place: Natalie Cervantes

25 Meter Assisted Walk

1st Place: Liliana Guillen-Mena

2nd Place: Julissa Herrera

3rd Place: Juan Cruz- Martinez

4th Place: Kevin Daiz- Morales

25 Meter Run:

1st Place: Sammy Cruz, Adam Sanchez 2nd Place: Pablo Guzman

3rd Place: Nickolas Zinaman

4th Place: Jeremy Lopez

25 Meter Walk

1st Place: Sophia Caltabiano

2nd Place: Sam Morales

3rd Place: Mateo Hernandez

4th Place: Jose Tinoco

25 Meter Assisted Run :

1st Place: Adrian Mendez

2nd Place: Maria Carrillo

50 Meter Run:

1st Place: Pablo Guzman

2nd Place: Ethan Jarvis

3rd Place: Dalton M.

4th Place: Eddy Flecha

50 Meter Assisted Walk:

1st Place: Pete Morrison

2nd Place: Adrian Mendez

3rd Place: Emily Salazar

4th Place: Kevin Daiz-Morales

4x4 Relay Race:

1st Place: Clewiston High School

2nd Place: LaBelle High School

3rd Place: LaBelle High School

4th Place: LaBelle Middle School

5th Place: Clewiston Middle School

Many of the volunteers said they really enjoyed the event, and everyone said they couldn’t wait for next year.

To find out more about getting involved in Special Olympics, visit the Hendry County School District website: https://www.hendry-schools.org/Page/9551

Special Olympics, athletes, competition, Sodexo, Hendry, LaBelle, Clewiston

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