WEST POINT, N.Y. (May 4, 2011) -- Competitive spirit and fun brought more than 600 athletes from surrounding counties to participate in the annual Special Olympics Spring Games at West Point April 30.
With cadet sponsors lending support for the athletes, competitors tested their skills in track and field events, adaptive games, aquatics-and, new this year, power lifting.
Omicron Delta Kappa, the Leadership Honor Society at West Point, sponsored the event. Class of 2011 Cadet Blake Fitzgerald, the cadet-in-charge, has been involved in the Special Olympics event here since his plebe year-first as a sponsor for two years and then as the assistant CIC.
"This is a great leadership opportunity to serve the community and continue the tradition of selfless service," Fitzgerald said. "I've always enjoyed being involved in extracurricular activities, and this has been a privilege-leading cadets in this amazing community service."
Along with the 25 members of Omicron Delta Kappa, more than 700 cadets volunteered to sponsor athletes and work in various support teams to record track times and particpate in award ceremonies. Many cadet-athletes, from Army rugby, sprint football, hockey and the Rabble Rousers, provided support throughout the day at Shea Stadium. In addition, more than 150 community volunteers also participated.
Fitzgerald said the day was not about the cadets though; deserving the attention were the hundreds of athletes throughout the Hudson Valley region who came to demonstrate their skills.
"I have no doubt that after today, you will have successfully proven your courage and your physical fitness and experience joy in these friendly competitions," Fitzgerald told the athletes during the opening ceremonies. "Today is not about winning, but rather an experience that will teach you life lessons."
Lt. Gen. David Huntoon Jr., West Point superintendent, was the grand marshal and expressed pride in the athletes and their families for attending the 37th annual regional games.
"Your presence today and your participation in these games is all about teamwork and discipline, selfless service, honor and courage," Huntoon said. "Those are some of the principle values of the U.S. Army and West Point. In your eyes, we can see the determination to win the race, the passion to succeed and to overcome any obstacle in order to accomplish the mission. And today's mission is about achievement and about doing your very best here on the playing fields and in your life."
Athletes earning gold medals in their events will be able to advance to the state competition in Ithaca next month where more than 1,500 athletes and coaches from across the state will participate in the 2011 State Summer Games.
Representing the West Point Team, from West Point Elementary School was:
- Rusty Wilkens-2nd place, 30-meter motorized obstacle wheelchair race;
- Alex Rider-1st place, softball throw; 4th place, 50-meter dash; 4th place, 100-meter dash;
- Ian Hallon-3rd place, softball throw; 1st place, 50-meter dash; 1st place, 100-meter dash;
- Dylan Fardella-4th place, softball throw; 2nd place, 50-meter dash; 3rd place, 100-meter dash.
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