Special Olympians that participated in the regional finals in Thunder Bay last weekend brought home not only a second place trophy but the exhilarating experience of athletic competition.
“The athletes enjoyed themselves in baseball and came home with a huge second place trophy–and huge smiles to go with it,” enthused Sandy Pruys, Special Olympic baseball coach and volunteer. “For sure the memories made over the weekend will last a lifetime.”
And just like any other competitors, the local Special Olympians knew how to celebrate their achievements.
“After placing second, one of the athletes dumped a glass of water of my head,” laughed Pruys. “They promised to win first place next year so they could pour a bucket of water over my head,” she enthused.
The baseball games were played throughout Friday, with a full day of track and field to follow on Saturday.
“This was the first year that an athlete could be involved with both baseball and track because the events were on different days,” explained Pruys.
“This is the best trip we have ever been on–the athletes were extremely well disciplined. The only fight all weekend was over who was going to carry the trophy,” explained Pruys.
The first game Fort Frances played was against Thunder Bay 1. Fort Frances won 4-1.
Unfortunately, that was the home team’s only baseball win, but that didn’t stop them from having a good time.
In the final two games played against Thunder Bay 1 and 2, Fort Frances lost 7-1 and 2-3.
Scoring runs in the first game for the home team were Gerald Nugent, Joyce Gosselin, Ray Bedard and Devon Stearns. Scorers in the second game were Arlan Scott, Paul Belluz, Bedard and Scott. In the third game, Scott and Nugent repeated as goal scorers.
Bedard scored three homeruns during the tournament for the team.
During the Friday baseball games two injuries were suffered.
Thomas Fraser was unable to return to the game due to a serious knee injury and in the second game Joyce Gosselin twisted her ankle.
“[Joyce] was determined enough to continue pitching in the game,” said Pruys.
Although all athletes should be proud of their efforts, but according to them there was one athlete that stood out in the crowd.
That athlete was Bedard, who was voted most valuable player. Bedard played short stop for the first game and was a rover for the other two games. He was also the back up pitcher.
“This was not an easy task, because the whole team played well,” stressed Pruys.
The trip was a success not only for the athletes but also the volunteers involved. “Everything was so good, I don’t think I could pick just one thing that made the weekend,” added Pruys.
The Special Olympians were also successful in the track and field events at the regionals.
Carrie Jolicoeur (12-15 years old) participated in four events and received first place in each of them.
In the track events, Jolicoeur had a sprint time of 9.7 in the 50 meter race and 38.5 in the 200 meter, seeing two gold medals around her neck.
Jolicoeur also dominated the field events she competed in. A 2.97 meter long jump gave her the winning edge to grab hold of first place, a position she found herself yet again after she threw the shot put 24 feet, giving her a total of four gold medals.
Devon Stearns, who also competed in the 12-15 year old age bracket, placed second in the 50 meter race with a time of 11.4, nearly two seconds behind the leader, Jolicoeur.
In the 22-29 age category, Angie Pernsky received first place in the long jump with a jump of 1.64 meters. Pernsky received two second place finishes in shot put (at 12.4 feet) and a second place finish in the 50 meters with a time of 12.6 seconds.
In the 40+ age group, Joyce Gosselin received two second place finishes, in the long jump with a jump of 1.50 meters, and in shot put with a throw of 13 feet.
Also in the 40+ age category, Anita Hahkala brought home three first place finishes and one second place finish. She received first in the long jump with a jump of 1.70 meters, shot put with a throw of 22.8 feet and in the 200 meter with a time of 53.2 seconds. Hahkala received second place in the 50 meter dash with a time of 10.8 seconds.
Arlan Scott (30-39 age category) brought home two first and second place finishes. Scott’s first place finishes were in the 100 meter dash with a time of 18.9 seconds and in the 200 meter with a time of 40.6 seconds. He placed second in the long jump with a jump of 1.52 meters and a second place finish in shot put with a throw of 22’6.
In the 40 + category, Bedard received three first place finishes and one second place finish. Bedard placed first in the 50 and 200 meter races with times of 7.6 and 29.9. He had a first place finish in long jump with a score of 3.28 meters. Bedard also had a second place finish in the shot put with a throw of 25’5.
Also in the 40 + category, Dave Ducasse received two first and second places finishes and one third place finish.
Ducasse placed first in the shot put with a throw of 25’6 and in the 1500 meter with a time of 6:58. He placed second in the 100 and 200 meter races with 17.1 and 32 seconds respectively. For his third place finish he jumped 2.54 feet in the long jump.
The Fort relay team, which consisted of Jolicoeur, Scott, Ducasse and Bedard, topped off the team winning streak, placing first with a time of 1:14.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
