Competition supports fellowship

Families, athletes gather for 12th annual Special Olympics

GIRARD -- As Matthew Hynes ran / walked the red Girard High Arrowhead Stadium track, his mother, Kim, kept pace with him filming as he competed against himself during the 12th annual Trumbull County Special Olympics Invitational.

The teen had a wide grin on his face as he was determined to finish the run, regardless of where he placed in the race.

Matthew, 14, has been participating in the Special Olympics for five years.

"This is one of his favorite activities," Kim Hynes said. "He looks forward to it all year."

Matthew's brother, a Girard student, volunteered to help at the event, so this is a family affair.

"Having this on Mother's Day weekend every year makes it a hectic time," Kim said.

The 12th annual invitational qualifier was done in the memory of Randy Suchanek, who was president and co-founder of the event.

More than 240 participants were expected from eight special-needs programs in the four-county region, including Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula.

Bo Greene, athletic director with Fairhaven Schools, has been involved with the Special Olympics program for 18 years.

"We've seen it grow from just under 100 people participating to this year, where we had approximately 240 people sign up for the events and about 200 people showing up," Greene said. "Pre-COVID, our numbers were headed toward 300 participants."

People can compete in Special Olympics from as young as 8 years old. The event has no upper age limit.

"There were people out there this weekend who were competing when I began doing this 18 years ago," Greene said. "You can see how much they've changed over the years."

Butch and Debbie Sackett of Hubbard were at Saturday's event supporting their adopted son, Ronald Sackett, 45, who has been participating in Special Olympic events for nearly 30 years, as well as their twin foster children, Sara and Curtis Whaley, 33, who have been with them for 17 years.

They've been participating in the area's Special Olympic programs for most of those 17 years.

Ronald Sackett experienced a brain stem injury after a fall when he was 4. Sara and Curtis both were born with special needs.

The Sacketts said they have had approximately 33 foster children in their home over the years. Ronald, Sara and Curtis are the only special-needs children.

"Children Services asked if we could foster Sara and Curtis because they felt we've done so well with Ronald," Debbie said. "When they aged out of the system, they could have been separated, so we asked if they could stay within our home."

Butch Sackett describes the Olympics a place where they have a sense of competition and camaraderie with others.

Prior to COVID-19 shutting down everything, the Mahoning Valley had at least three different Olympic events per year, Debbie said.

"I think this is very special for all of the kids," she said.

For Kaylen Ralston, 42, of Girard, participating in the Special Olympics events every year allows him to have fun with others.

Cara Ricottilli, a coach who worked with Christian Washington on Saturday, described the competition as being everything to him.

"He has been doing this for five years," she said. "It gives him and others an opportunity to be with members of their own community and family."

The first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago in 1968. The games began with the idea for a one-time Olympic-style athletic competition for people with special needs.