MANITOULIN—The Manitoulin (Striders) Special Olympics track and field team fared extremely well at the North East Region Ontario Special Olympics track and field championships, held in Sturgeon Falls this past Saturday.
“Our athletes all did wonderfully and everyone got at least one first or second place finish I believe,” stated MSO coach and coordinator Janet Anning. “This is a really fun team to be around. They truly like and support each other and cheer each other on.”
There were a total of 21 MSO athletes that took part in the event and they garnered over 60 top three finishes.
Leading the way for the MSO team was Kelsey Mellan. She was first in her division in the 200-metre run, shot put and standing long jump, and second in the 400-metre run.
Matthew Bedard placed first in the 400-metre run, and second in both the 800-and 1,500-metre runs.
Neil Bell was first in both the softball throw and standing long jump.
Yuri Clayton garnered three first place ribbons, in the 100-metre run, 200-metre run and mini javelin throw. He was second in the standing long jump.
Randy Corbiere took first place in three events: the 400-metre run, mini javelin and the shot put. He was sixth in the 200-metre run.
Dylan Danville was first in his three events; the 200-and 400-metre runs and mini javelin.
Mark Dokum was first in both the 100-metre run and mini javelin. He finished second in the shot put.
Austin Featherstone was first in all three events he participated in, including the 1,500-, 800 and 3,000-metre runs.
Clayton Fogal was first in the 100-metre run and second in both the softball throw and standing long jump.
Dallas Fox finished first in his division in the softball throw.
Allan Francis brought home a first place finish in the mini javelin throw, second in shot put and fourth in the 100-metre run.
David Gagne took first place in both the 100-metre run and mini javelin 400-metre throw and second in the standing long jump.
Arthur Haines was first in the 50-metre run and standing long jump and second in the softball throw.
David Kennedy was second in the mini javelin, third in the standing long jump, fourth in the 100-metre run and fifth in the shot put.
Daniel Kilgour was first in the 50-metre run, softball throw and standing long jump.
Yashua Marsland placed first in all three of his events, including the 100-metre run, mini javelin and standing long jump.
Regan Millsap was first in the mini javelin and shot put, and second in both the 100-and 200-metre runs.
Aaron Nickol placed first in both the softball throw and standing long jump. He finished fifth in the 100-metre run.
Philip Roy took first place in his two events, the mini javelin and softball throw.
Andrew Splawanyk was first in the long jump and second in both the shot put and 400-metre run. He also placed fourth in the 200-metre run.
Dayne Tipper finished first in both the 1,500- and 800-metre runs. He was second in the standing long jump and third in the shot put.
Ms. Anning was one of four MSO coaches on hand for the regionals, along with Katherine and Sean Tipper and Sandy Graham. As well, there were also a lot of local parents and volunteers helping out and supporting the MSO team.
