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Going for glory means practice first
By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE CRYSTAL RIVER -- It was a beautiful morning, pale blue sky, clear and cool (well, a little too cool, perhaps, but with a promise of warmth later). Members of the Homosassa Springs Kiwanis were gathered on the orange earth of the athletic field at Key Training Center. Soon the developmentally disabled residents started to trickle out in small groups. Each client was matched with a Kiwanian and taken to his or her preferred event. This practice time was meant to prepare the athletes for the 17th Annual Track and Field Day for Key residents and CREST School students. The big day will begin at 10:15 a.m. April 10 at Crystal River High School starting with a parade. While the Crystal River High School band lends a festive touch, the athletes will move around the field and proceed into the stands. Opening ceremonies will include the National Anthem, scheduled to be sung by Key Center client Lester Brock, the American Legion Color Guard raising the American Flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation, the CREST School torch ceremony and the Athlete's Oath. Then the games will begin. "They have so much fun participating in it," said Kiwanis member and chairman of the Track and Field Day Committee. "We get a lot out of it ourselves." Crystal River High School seems to be glad to help, as well. "The whole school gets behind it," Harris said. The band plays and the Health academy students assist the athletes from the stands, to the the events, back to the stands and to the awards. The administration provides the facilities for committee meetings, cafeteria space and the stadium, the Key Club runs a concession stand and "the custodial staff bends over backwards for us," Harris said. The actual track events are the 25 yard assisted walk, the 25 yard wheelchair race, the 25 yard three wheel bicycle race, the 25 yard walk, the 25 yard run, the 50 yard walk, the 50 yard dash, the 100 yard dash and the 220 yard run. Field events are golf putting, softball throw, Frisbee throw and soccer kick. Indoor events include golf putting, bowling and basketball hoops. Key Center client Denise Esposito said she will be participating in the Frisbee throw and walking. "I like it very much," she said about the field day, "because I'm getting used to doing the Frisbee and the walk." Esposito says she has quite a few medals. Another Key client, B.J. Daniel, will be doing the wheel chair race and Frisbee throw. "I like it, 'cause it's cool," she said. Athlete Celia Polak will be trying her hand at golf putting and running. "I think it's nice," she said, adding that her favorite parts of the event are "getting medals and being in the parade." Iris Whittaker, manager of volunteer services at Key and a member of Kiwanis, would like to see the community come to the school on Track and Field Day to cheer the students and clients on. "Encouragement excites the participants," she said. They like the applause, just like anyone who is on stage or performing in an athletic event. They need the support."
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