wednesday,july 3, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online

Have aSafe and Fun4th of JulyThe County TimesNewsmakersWednesday, July 3, 2013 28Special Olympics TeamsRack Up the HardwarePhoto by Frank MarquartThe fireworks display at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire DepartmentSaturday evening proved to be a fun experience to thosein attendance. The County Times wishes our readers a happyand safe Independence Day.By Alex PanosStaff WriterAthletes in the St. Mary’s County Special Olympicsprogram traveled to Towson University last month to competein the state competitions, against athletes from all overMaryland, in track and field, swimming and bocce ball.This year, 33 of the 53 track and field competitors,ranging from age 11 to 60, received at least one gold medal,including four a piece from Tikira Blackwell and MarcusDavis.Volunteer Susan Chapplear said Andrew Gill thrilledthe audience in the 200-meter race with a late come frombehind victory on the final stretch.Athlete Jerry Gatton, who is blind, and his guide DaleBecker set their personal best record in route to winning thegold medal in the 100-meter run.Chapplear added, Joey Owens too set his personal bestin the shot put competition, despite battling through a numberof injuries to compete.Avery Long dominated the high jump and long jumpduring the event.Long also ran the fastest 200-meter of the weekend inaddition to setting the top mark in the jumpsSt. Mary’s County athletes racked up 20 gold, two silverand three bronze medals in the swimming games.The swim team, which has traveled to Charles andCalvert counties for qualifyingevents, competedin two relay races, 25meter freestyle, 25 meterbackstroke and 50 meterfreestyle.The Bocce eventstook place on the university’ssoccer field, and27 competitors from St.Mary’s County took home11 gold, seven silver andfive bronze medals in singlesmatches.They also wereawarded five gold, foursilver and four bronze fortheir efforts in the doublesmatches.“By far the most excitingmatches of the twodays pitted St. Mary’s athletesagainst fellow teammates,”Chapplear said.James Sewell defeatedTom Stewart by a single point in the last frame – a pointdecided by a quarter of an inch.In doubles, Linda Higgs and Mary Herbert were beatingStewart and Sewell – now teammates – for majority ofthe match before the men began a furious rally to come backand win.The athletes, who began training for competition inmid-March, were exhuberant on the bus up to Towson, eagerto take part in the entire two-day experience.“They were as excited about the dorm, dining hall experience,parade and dance as they were about the athleticcompetition,” Chappelear said.The national competitions will take place next June,and feature over 3,500 athletes and 80,000 spectators, accordingto Chappelear.Gold medal winners are eligible to be selected in a randomdraw this month, most of who will participate in sportssuch as kayaking, soccer, flag football, cycling, bowling andbasketball, Chappelear said.Visit stmaryso.org, email somdsmc@md.metrocast.netor call 301-481-7049 for more information about the SpecialOlympics.alexpanos@countytimes.net