KINGSVILLE TOWNSHIP – Ashtabula County was well-represented at the Summer Games.
A contingent of nearly 50 athletes with the Ashtabula County Special Olympics program boarded buses bound for the State Summer Games in Columbus on Friday, May 29.
“They absolutely love this,” Ashtabula County Special Olympics Coordinator Kris DeCaro said. “We’ve got some first timers here, too, that have never done this before and they’re going to be overwhelmed. It is an overwhelming experience. It really is, and it’s one that I wish a lot of people would be able to experience from the sendoff here and then when we get down there, they have the police and the fire and they’re in the stadium and it’s just amazing.”
The Ashtabula County Lakers were represented by 35 track and field athletes and nine bowlers.
“This is a culmination of a lot of work, a lot of practices, on everyone’s part,” DeCaro said. “(The athletes are) so excited. They’re really excited to go. We’re very proud of them to represent this county because one of the good things that happens in this county is these guys.”
The Ashtabula County contingent also included coaches, parents and caregivers, bringing its total number to approximately 75 people.
More than 2,400 athletes from 88 local organizations earned gold or silver medals at their respective regional competitions to qualify for the State Summer Games at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on The Ohio State University’s campus.
“They love it,” DeCaro said. “They love to showcase themselves and they’re good. These guys are good at what they do. They really and truly are. They put a lot of work and a lot of effort into this and they’re just super excited to show off their skills. And, they do have skills. It takes skills to be in Special Olympics.”
“(The escort and sendoff) shows (the athletes) they’re loved and appreciated,” DeCaro said. “And, it gives them pride because a lot of these guys don’t get a whole lot of praise. This is their showcase. We all have different talents. I may not be able to be an architect or an engineer, maybe they can’t either, but maybe they can shoot a basketball.”
The athletes’ caravan was escorted from the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities west on State Route 84 to Route 11 by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, North Kingsville Police Department and the Kingsville and Ashtabula township fire departments.
It was anticipated that county residents would line the route to cheer the Special Olympians’ departure.
The children at Kids Only Learning Center lined the sidewalk cheering and waving as the Olympians boarded buses.
“(The Kids Only children) are our future volunteers,” DeCaro said. “I would hope that everyone would know that we’re here we here for any kind of a physical need or for a developmental need. Their child does not have to sit on that side of the fence. They can come over to this side.”
