Extending a spirit of welcome, friendship and encouragement to more than 550 athletes from dozens of area schools, Bishop McDevitt High School was the host site for this year’s Special Olympics Area M Games after a yearlong hiatus of the annual spring event.
And athlete Brian Price couldn’t have been more prepared.
Setting his sites on the finish-line ribbon stretched across the north end of the new track surface at Rocco Ortenzio Stadium, Price sprinted past his fellow competitors to win the day’s opening race, a 100-meter dash.
Accepting high-fives from volunteers at the finish line, Price raised his arms in victory, elated from his accomplishment.
“I’ve been ready for this race. I was up all night practicing, too,” said Price, a student at Red Land High School in Lewisberry, Pa.
“I’ve been participating in Special Olympics for about two years, and I love it. Running to the finish line as fast as I can is my favorite thing about track,” he said.
Price was one of more than 550 athletes from Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry and Northern York counties to compete in the Area M Games, a track and field meet for students from area school districts. The Special Olympics event has a long history in south central Pennsylvania, dating back more than 50 years.
Bishop McDevitt High School served as this year’s host site, as local officials with the Special Olympics were seeking a location that could handle not only the number of athletes but also the more than 550 student buddies, 200 event volunteers and dozens of school buses to transport them.
“This is the first year that McDevitt is hosting us, and we couldn’t be more appreciative,” said Laura Backhaus, co-director of the Area M Games, which had traditionally been held at Messiah University, up until the event took a few-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic. After a return to competition in 2023, last year’s games were put on hold for lack of a venue.
“As we were looking for a host site for this year, I reached out to Dr. Vince Harper, Bishop McDevitt’s principal, to inquire about coming here and they were happy to welcome us. We are very blessed with McDevitt’s willingness,” said Backhaus, whose daughter is a junior at the school.
The games featured a variety of events, including 50, 100 and 200-meter dashes and walks, wheelchair races, a softball throw, a foam javelin toss, and running and standing long jumps. Athletes and their buddies also enjoyed soccer, Bocce, an Olympic Village and lunch.
At the Bocce court in the middle of the field, Kathy, a 16-year-old student from Central Dauphin High School, outplayed her buddy and longtime friend, Rory. The two have known each other since their elementary school days.
Using a speech tablet to share her experience with the Special Olympics, Kathy said she enjoys the atmosphere of the games.
“I have been participating in the Special Olympics for a while,” she said. “The long jump was my favorite activity today. I jumped far, and I might medal. I will also be in the 50-meter race. It is a fun day.”
All along the way, Rory was at her side, making new memories with her friend and other athletes in a day of camaraderie.
“It’s so invigorating to see all the athletes so happy and having a good time together,” Rory said. “I love this atmosphere. You can’t beat it.”
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
