Five Bellcate Bulldog student-athletes participated in the Special Olympic Fall Games October 5th-6th in Saint Albans. The team of Marcus, Marissa, Isaiah, Colby, and Jaime competed in the track and field portion of the games Saturday and Sunday, and they left the Collins Perley Sports Complex with some bling around their necks.
The games kicked off Saturday with the throwing events. Jaime, who was making her Bellcate athletics debut, showed no signs of nerves during her tennis ball throw. Jaime threw the tennis ball to a Silver place finish! Great start Jaime! Next up was Colby, Marcus, and Marissa with the softball throw. Colby, in front of his grandmother, hucked the softball to a gold medal in his first of three events on the weekend! “My grandmother came all the way up here to watch me compete,” he said. “There was no way I wasn’t riding home with her without a gold medal around my neck.” he added. Marissa was up next. With her boyfriend, and Bellcate alum Shawn in attendance, Marissa also took home the gold in her first of three events. “I guess that’s why they call her the flipper,” Shawn voiced as Marissa got her gold medal. Last but not least, was the Ol’ Brahma Bull, Marcus. Competing in the second toughest division, Marcus reared back and let er’ fly to a silver medal finish! “I did the best I could and that’s all I could ask for,” said Marcus. “I will come back even stronger tomorrow,” he added. After Saturday’s throwing events, the team convened at Marissa’s house for a team party. Thank you Jody and Jason for hosting and the delicious spaghetti!
The kids arrived back in Saint Albans Sunday morning with a determined look on their faces. Isaiah, who missed Saturday due to playing in a football game, joined his Bulldog teammates. “Sorry I wasn’t here yesterday, guys” Isaiah told his teammates. “I was busy sacking the other team’s quarterback” he said. The team warmed up with their athletic trainer, Carew, and were ready to run!
Jaime took the the track first. Competing in both the 50 meter and 100 meter dash, Jaime sprinted toward the finish line like a bolt of lightning and won gold in both of her events! With her parents and sister in attendance, Jaime stood proudly on the podium. With the Olympic theme song playing in the background, Jaime bowed as the police officer placed the medal around her neck. She rose back up, stood tall and proud, and embraced the cheering crowd applauding her efforts of the day. “Jaime’s performance this weekend was remarkable” says coach Eyob. “She represented herself and school with so much pride,” he added.
Next up, Colby. Coming off a Saturday where he ate so much pasta it put him in a food coma for 17.5 hours, Fitzy was rarin’ to go! “I knew today would be a long day of running,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I got the proper amount of carbs and sleep I needed to compete at the highest level today,” he added. Running in the 50 meter dash and 100 meter dash, Colby was able to run, while holding his pants up at the same time, for two bronze medal finishes! Way to go Colby!
Isaiah, coming off a monster football game the day before, ran in the 50 meter and 100 meter events. Getting off to a blistering start in the 50, Isaiah ran himself to a bronze medal finish. After the race, Isaiah got some lunch and recharged for his last event of the games, the 100 meter dash. Once again, Isaiah got off to a fast start. He was able to hold off a late surge from a fellow runner, and crossed the finish line ahead of the pack… Gold medal for the Zay man! “My legs were a little tired in the morning from my football the game yesterday, but by the afternoon, I felt fresh and ready to go.” Isaish said. Good job Isaiah!
Marissa, who came into Sunday with a gold medal from the day before, competed in the 50 meter run as well as the 100 meter. She took 4th place in a super fast heat in the 100, and willed her way to a bronze medal in the 50! “Flipper had a great weekend,” commented coach Jac. “She has done so well with her training during practices, and it really showed.” Jac added.
Last but not least, Marcus. Competing in the second fastest division, Marcus ran in the 100 meter and 200 meter races. With his family in attendance coming all the way from Panton, Vermont, Marcus did not disappoint, winning two gold medals! “Watching Marcus run is a thing of beauty,”commented coach Emily. In practice, we came up with a game plan on how Marcus would run the 200. He was in last place for a while, but like our game plan stated, Marcus kicked it in gear for the final 100. Totally awesome!” Emily adds.
It was a great weekend for the Bulldog track team for sure. They represented their school and community with pride and showed a lot of great teamwork and took care of one another. Way to go Jaime, Marcus, Isaiah, Colby, and Marissa! Go Bulldogs!
