Participants and spectators had a fun time Saturday morning at the annual Clinton County Special Olympics track and field events. Pictured is heat 4 of the 50-meter dash. From left are participants Dominic Burkhart (who finished first), Steven Wood and Jake Walker. The Special Olympics are held at the Wilmington College track in front of the football stands. For more photos of the event, see Page 6 and online at wnewsj.com.
After Wilmington police officer Patrick Black fired off a starting gun, from left participants Matthew Petrey and Neal Borton (accompanied by a Special Olympics volunteer) make their trek down the track in heat 1 of an assisted walk contest. In the right background are other Special Olympians seated under a tent top waiting their turn in the games.
In heat 2 of the 50-meter dash, Special Olympian Jodi Winkle, foreground, is going all out to place ahead of Dallas Willoughby, background in a green T-shirt. Winkle did win the race.
Wilmington police officer Patrick Black, a fixture at the annual Clinton County Special Olympics, was challenged to a one-on-one race with Jake Walker, right foreground. Despite a valiant effort by Officer Black, Walker won the challenge. Maybe next year Patrick.
In the winners circle at the Clinton County Special Olympics for heat 1 in the 25-meter wheelchair contest are, from left, David Cox, Neal Borton who placed first, and John Hutchinson.
Special Olympian Matthew Petrey features a smile plus speed as he hurries to the ribbon at the finish line. Matthew’s fast pace led announcer Walter “Butch” Peelle to remark, “Look at this guy go.”