| GARDNER — Special needs athletes from across the region will be given the opportunity to compete in the Special Olympics Monday, and for the first time it will be in front of a home crowd at Quabbin Regional High School’s track. Christin Nosel, the special projects manager for the Quabbin Regional School District took it upon herself to schedule the first ever event when she realized that the trip to North Central Massachusetts’ Special Olympics event was too far for many participants in the area. The opening ceremonies of the event will have speeches from State Rep. Anne Gobi D- Spencer and Kara NoonanPear from Sen. Brewer’s office. Ms. Nosel said she was thrilled with the generous outpouring of support from both the participating schools and the surrounding communities. “We have participants from Quabbin, Spencer, East Brookfield, Narragansett, the Wachusett Regional School District, Mahar, Monson and Quaboag, and they are all thrilled,” said Ms. Nosel. “The event was so popular we actually had other schools wanting to participate that did not sign up in time.” To kick off the games, members of the Barre, Hardwick, Oakham, Hubbardston, and New Braintree police departments will be participating in a ceremonial torch run around the track, something Barre police officer Paul Magierowski said he was honored to be a part of. “What we are going to do is the police chief and I are going to drive up to the event in a cruiser, which we hope will get all the kids excited and riled up for the event,” said Mr. Magierowski. “We will run a torch midfield across the track and then we will officially announce the games open.” Mr. Magierowski added that the officers participating will remain at the track all day and will eventually assist in awarding athletes with medals. Although participants at this year’s event will not be able to qualify for the state competition, Ms. Nosel said if the regions first olympics are deemed a success they will all be eligible next year. “This is our first year with the event which makes this kind of like a qualifier,” said Ms. Nosel. “If this year’s event goes well enough in subsequent years, all of our athletes can qualify to participate in the special olympics’ state competition.” The event, which will host approximately 65 special needs athletes between the ages of 6 and 22, will have a schedule of events that includes 10 meter, 25 meter, 30 meter, 50 meter, and 100 meter walks, runs, assisted runs, and wheelchair races. Other events include various throws, a long jump, and a 4x100 meter relay. oboss@thegardnernews.com |
| Appeared on Page 3 on 6/7/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 135) |
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