Special Education Track Meet

On Friday, April 19^th, Kingsburg Elementary student athletes competed, along with over 1,100 other athletes, in the Fresno County Special Olympic Athletics Games held at Ratcliffe Stadium.  Kingsburg athletes included Anna Davis, Melina Sigle, and Dezi Yacconi (Reagan Elementary students), and Alyssa Duarte (Rafer Johnson Jr. High School student). 

This 45^th Annual Athletics Meet has grown to become the largest Special Olympics competition held in California. 

The Parade of Athletes commenced under a patriotic colored rainbow of balloons and proceeded around the stadium passing the Fresno City Police Motorcycle Brigade and hundreds of clapping supporters.  Tim DeRuyter, Head Football Coach for California State University, Fresno, and several of his players lead the athletes in their Olympic Oath.  Following the entry of the Olympic torch into the stadium, Coach DeRuyter declared the games open.  Our athletes participated in field events including tennis ball throw, softball throw and turbo javelline.  They competed in heats of the 50-meter run, 100-meter run, 200-meter run, 400-meter walk, and the 400-meter run. 

As a superintendent, I had the opportunity to walk with these incredible students, along with others, down the field before the opening ceremonies.  This was not the first time I walked a group of athletes down a field as they prepared to compete, BUT THIS WAS THE MOST EXCITED GROUP OF ATHLETES I HAVE EVER SEEN AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT.

Alyssa Duarte participated in the 100m, 200m, and softball throw, winning two ribbons.  Anna Davis participated in the 100m, 200m, and softball throw, winning two ribbons.  Melina Sigle participated in the 50m, 100m and tennis ball throw, winning a first and second place ribbon. Dezi Yacconi participated in the 50m, 100m, and softball throw, winning two ribbons.

Thanks to our coaches:  Peggy Cuadros, Maureen Gillespie, and Anna Pendergrass.