Correspondent photos / Tim Gleason Runners get ready to race in the 100-meter run at Saturday’s 14th annual Special Olympics at Girard’s Arrowhead Stadium. Teams from five counties competed, including the Ashtabula Lakers, Columbiana Comets, Fairhaven School Bulldogs, Geauga Blue Streaks and Kent Roosevelt.

GIRARD — An estimated 165 individuals participated in the 14th annual Trumbull County Special Olympics at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.

All of them were winners. With smiles on their faces, every athlete walked in a parade to begin the games during opening ceremonies.

“It is always a treat to see so many people enjoy this great day,” said Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo, who served as announcer for the event. “This is a great day of inclusion and sportsmanship. These athletes love being here, and we love having them.”

With ages ranging from 8 through senior citizens, five county programs participated: Ashtabula Lakers, Columbiana Comets, Fairhaven School Bulldogs, Geauga Blue Streaks and Kent Roosevelt.

Paul Colla, 65, of Mineral Ridge, representing the Fairhaven Bulldogs, has been a participant of the games since they started 14 years ago.

“This is so much fun,” Colla said. “I love seeing everyone. I am going to run three races. Wish me luck.”

The founding sponsors for the event include Girard-Liberty Rotary Club, Girard City School District and Fairhaven Special Olympics. It was held in memory of Randy Suchanek, former president of Girard-Liberty Rotary and co-founder of this Special Olympics event. His dedication and hard work in support of these athletes and this event were vitally important to its growth and progress, officials said.

The founding sponsors and many others donated funds to pay for medals, tent rentals, T-shirts and a breakfast for volunteers to make the event a success. More than 220 volunteers were on hand, including 150 students from Girard schools.

“We love doing this,” said Bryan O’Hara, superintendent of Girard City Schools. “It’s an honor for the school district to host five different teams of Special Olympians. We are teaching our students the importance of giving back and helping others, at the same time providing a service to those who look forward to this day.”

Nick Cochran, Girard High School athletic director, praised the Girard students for being so helpful.

“We are a family here in Girard,” Cochran said. “Our students watch for anyone who needs any help to compete in any event. They jump right in and run with the participants or walk with them. They will even hold their hand if needed.”

The events, witnessed by about 300 spectators, included a 1,500-meter run, 400-meter run, 400-meter walk, 100-meter run, 100-meter walk, softball throw, mini javelin throw, long jump, running long jump, shot put, 800-meter walk, 800-meter run, 50-meter assisted and unassisted walk, 50-meter run and 200-meter run.

Joe Jeswald, retired superintendent of Girard City Schools, was a co-founder of the annual event along with Suchanek. Jeswald estimates that at least $3,000 was raised this year.

“About 15 years ago, we went to the Girard-Liberty Rotary Club and presented the idea,” Jeswald said. “They jumped on board and the rest is history. This could not happen without so many great people and sponsors all pitching in.”

Adding color and pageantry to the day, seven clowns from Aut Mori Grotto presented medals to those at the podium who won top-three place finishes.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.