'Fun and hot.' Stark County Exceptional Olympics create excitement, support for students

PERRY TWP. – Lexus Mutersbaugh, 13, stood in line for the obstacle course. She had already competed in batting, soccer and bowling.

"It's very fun and hot," the Fairless Local student said before sprinting to the first obstacle, a long tube that student athletes had to crawl through to complete the event. From there, she made her way through the course, finishing on the balance beam.

Students from across Stark County took part Friday in the 35th annual Stark County Exceptional Olympics at Perry High School.

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The day featured 597 student athletes with varying disabilities who competed in events like bowling, basketball and track.

Local school districts involved included Alliance, Canton, Fairless, Lake, Louisville, Marlington, Massillon, Minerva, North Canton, Perry, Plain and Sandy Valley.

The students also interacted with officers and firefighters from Perry's police and and fire departments.

Opening ceremonies began shortly after 9:40 a.m., with students from each school district walking their banners across Perry's football field.

Despite the heat — temperatures Friday topped 80 degrees — student athletes and those watching from the stands enjoyed the day.

"This is just fantastic. It couldn't be any better," said Randy Middleton, of Alliance, while watching his grandson participate. "Thank God that there's still people around who would look out for the little ones who are special needs."

Community support for Exceptional Olympics

The event is organized with help from the Stark County Educational Service Center and the school districts. This year, the Canton South Rotary Club was the main sponsor.

Co-chair Kristin Fleming works closely with volunteers. She said she has seen an outpouring of support and dedication from volunteers to come back year after year.

"We have long-standing relationships with many of those people and organizations because they look forward to investing in this day annually," Fleming said. "We have a very loyal group of people who have committed to participating and being involved and making it a positive day. It's just ... it's awesome."

Lisa Shannon, director of special services for the Lake Local School District, got to experience her first Exceptional Olympics since it was canceled the previous two years due to COVID-19. She said the community's support made a significant difference in the day's success.

"An event like this, I think, really pays tribute to inclusivity, it pays tribute to the commitment that staff and families have to our students, and boy, does it really affirm kids and how they feel about being included and getting to participate in an event like this," Shannon said.

Student athlete reactions, support

Excitement was a common theme among student athletes and supporters.

Oliver Benson, 8, from the Perry Local, said he was happy and excited to take part in his first Exceptional Olympics. He had good reason to be, too, as he had just sent a soccer ball perfectly into the back of the net.

Shannon said the students she serves at Lake Local expressed excitement in the week leading up to Friday's events. Lake Township resident Paul Lucchesi, whose grandson attends Lake Local Schools, agreed.

"We saw him on the bus and ... he was all excited to see us," Lucchesi said. "You can tell just by looking at him that he's happy."

That kind of excitement and happiness is exactly what the organizers hoped for, Fleming said. The day is meant to reflect the abilities of the student athletes and the support available to them and their families.

"It means a revived sense of camaraderie and pride," Fleming said. "(It's) a special opportunity for these individuals to come together and participate in special activities that they're celebrated for."

Reach Ryan via email at rmaxin@gannett.com, on Twitter at @ryanmaxin or by phone at 330-580-8412.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: A hot day at the 35th Stark County Exceptional Olympics at Perry High