Sports
Residents Win Dozens of Medals at Special Olympics
Coach: "These athletes give 100 percent and maybe a little more."
Twenty Wayne athletes won dozens of ribbons in the annual New Jersey Special Olympics Saturday at Passaic County Technical Institute.
More 300 athletes from various organizations and municipalities throughout the county participated. Events included several races and relays, the shot put, and long jump, among others.
Wayne team coach Flo Felano said she is amazed at how hard the athletes compete every year.
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"They really outdid themselves this year. They were gorgeous to watch. I was in awe," Felano said. "These athletes gave 100 percent and maybe a little more."
For many of the athletes, Felano said, participating in the Special Olympics can greatly affect their self esteem.
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"For many of these of kids and adults, this is the one thing they can excel at. They all believe in themselves," Felano said. "Something like this gives them confidence to try other things."
Number of Events Participants Placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd In 1st 2nd 3rd Darryl Dreher 2 2 Danny Geiger 4 Christopher Lee 4 Matthew Brighton 4 Garret Holmes 4 Ahmad Zaman 2 1 Marty Teresa 2 1 1 Garrett Thompson 1 1 1 Xavier Millan 2 1 Dylan Weiss 2 1 1 Giovanni Rivera 3 1 Terrance McCarthy 2 1 Jessica Michaelson 4 Maryann Castillo 4 Elizabeth Unger 3 1 Christine Rush 2 1 Doris Korkes 4 Monique Gilisco 4 Michelle Carmody 4 Michael Nicoletti 3Members of the Wayne Police Department ran the Special Olympics Torch into the opening ceremony. The Wayne Policemen's Benevolent Association has participated in the Special Olympics Torch Run since 1985.
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