By Kyle LoJacono
Wesley Chapel High played host to half of the Pasco County Summer Special Olympics games Feb. 25 for the second straight year.
All athletes and teams from central and east Pasco, a total of 18 schools, competed in almost 20 different events. One of those defending his home track was Wesley Chapel freshman Carlos Ortiz.
“I like to do Special Olympics because it’s fun and I get to meet new people,” Ortiz said. “You get to do a lot of cool things.”
Ortiz won the 5K bike race this year with a time of 19 minutes and 55 seconds. He also competed in the county games the previous three years while at Weightman Middle. However, this year he got to hear a pep talk from a gold-medal winning track star.
Stewart Middle teacher and Zephyrhills High girls track coach Jason Rouser was part of the U.S. 4×400 meter relay team that brought home the gold in 1996. He wished all of the athletes good luck during the opening ceremony.
“When I was asked if I wanted to come speak at the Special Olympics and help out, I said of course,” Rouser said. “This is my first Special Olympics games and all the kids are having a good time and competing at their sports. It’s a great thing.”
While Rouser was taking in his first county games, Land O’ Lakes High Special Olympics soccer coach Vicky King has been a part of more than 20.
“Winning is just as important to them as any other athlete,” King said. “They give it everything they have, and it’s amazing to see them out on the field.”
King is also the Gators girls soccer coach and coordinates Special Olympics soccer throughout Pasco.
The event is also special to the student volunteers. Wesley Chapel senior Marcus Crescentini volunteered for the first time this year and is glad he did.
“I thought that I should give back,” Crescentini said. “I had friends who always volunteered and I never really understood why. They said to me if I came out I would understand and they’re right. It’s really an amazing thing.”
Crescentini was a little out of his comfort zone for part of the day. He is a pitcher on the Wildcats baseball team, but was the goalkeeper for the unified soccer team at the games. Unified squads have Special Olympics and traditional athletes on the same team.
Fellow Wesley Chapel pitcher Brandon Mumaw, a senior, also volunteered at the event. He said he helped at the games when he went to Weightman Middle and wanted to do it again his senior year.
“We’re proud to have a lot of the schools in Pasco County competing at our fields,” Mumaw said. “Last year, I’m told, it was great and I know firsthand it is this year.”
