Naval Academy Special Olympics

Athletes from across the state gathered at the U.S. Naval Academy last Saturday and Sunday for a Special Olympics regional meet. In all, there were approximately 105 aquatics athletes on Saturday and on Sunday, 85 bocce athletes and 225 track and field athletes.

The meet, organized each year by the Annapolis Jaycees, is one of several qualifying meets for the state Special Olympics, held in Towson.

Over 250 midshipmen gathered to help as volunteers. Coach Nina Marcellino of Edgewater said that she is always impressed with the way the event is run.

"The midshipmen couldn't have been better. The way it works is that the athletes get paired with a midshipman for the day. I think a lot of friendships are made that last forever. The athletes go home and Facebook their midshipmen. There is a real camaraderie that is built," Marcellino said.

The regional events are qualifiers for the state event, although athletes only have to attend two qualifiers to proceed to Towson in June.

Marcellino is in her second year of coaching the Anne Arundel Sharks. She partners with Darryl Allen, who runs a weekly practice in Glen Burnie. Between the two coaches, they have about 50 athletes.

Marcellino's south county practice this year was somewhat disrupted with the rebuilding of the turf fields at South River High. Athletes instead practiced each Sunday at Bates Middle School in Annapolis.

Marcellino said that she got involved because Allen was running the only practice in the county in Glen Burnie. Two years ago she decided to begin running practices for athletes in southern end of the county.

Marcellino said that one of the highlights of this year's games at the Naval Academy was the reintroduction of the Men's 110-meter hurdles. It was the first time in 15 years that the track event was added to the meet.

"We had four men compete, from teens to a 30-year-old. They are regular, regulation hurdles, regulation height. It was great," Marcellino said.

Marcellino said that the participants in the games love the event at the academy.

"They love the challenge, and they love being cheered on," Marcellino said.

The event on Saturday was all swimming, while Sunday's game included track and field and bocce. The track and field events included softball throw, mini-javelin, running long jump, shot put, and standing long jump, plus a variety of track events including the adaptive 25-meter and 15-meter events.

Next up, these athletes will be attending their second qualifier in Charles County on May 7.