Penny Dick was the top local athlete at the Special Olympics regional summer games in Thunder Bay last Saturday, finishing first in both the shot put and 50m run in the over-35 women’s division.
Angela Pernsky, competing in the women’s 20-25 age group, also had a strong showing, finishing second in the 50m run and shot put. She also placed third in the long jump.
Lynn McCready competed in the 35-over men’s division in the shot put, long jump, and 50m but failed to place in the top three in either event.
Arlin Scott, another prominent local track and field athlete, could not make the trip due to a family wedding.
The track team was at a disadvantage heading into the regional games this year because the ongoing construction at Wesfort hampered training, coach Cindy Baker said.
Still, she was pleased with the trio’s effort, especially that of McCready, who was up against some “very tough” competition.
Meanwhile, the local Blue Jays slo-pitch team also competed in Thunder Bay, dropping a pair of decisions–6-5 and 12-7–to the host squad.
But volunteer Gabby Hanzuk said the team played particularly well, especially on defence behind the strong pitching of Joyce Gosselin, Dave Ducasse, and Kevin Oster.
She added the Jays received some stellar defensive plays from Larry Slatt and Danny Smith, who also hit a pair of home runs.
Besides the strong play of many veterans, Hanzuk said the team also benefited from the play of rookies Vanessa Morrisson and Brad Holland.
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