NEWPORT, R.I. – For the 30th year, student volunteers from Salve Regina University will host more than a hundred athletes as they compete in the Rhode Island East Bay Area Special Olympics. The Games will be held Saturday, April 16 at the Rogers High School track, with opening ceremonies scheduled at 10:30 a.m.
Teams from high schools and communities across Rhode Island will be participating in several sports ranging from track to softball. Closing ceremonies are slated for 3:30 p.m.
“Salve Regina is proud to host this awesome day,” said Michelle Carroll, assistant director of the university’s Special Olympics committee, which includes about 100 students.
Salve Regina has supported the Special Olympics since 1981, when student Raye Denkiewicz helped to initiate a new East Bay chapter. The local Newport games are held annually in April to prepare athletes for statewide competitions at the University of Rhode Island in June.
Volunteers work with local vendors, coordinate DJs and organizations for Olympic Town, provide public relations services and assist athletes during the event. The university mission of mercy and justice is an integral part of Salve Regina’s involvement in Special Olympics Rhode Island. Service on the committee is open to all students, allowing the Salve Regina community to reach out to the special needs community in a greater way.
The volunteers and participants’ family members will be on hand to cheer for the athletes who will compete in this meet to qualify for the Rhode Island Special Olympics. Closing ceremonies for the event are slated for 3 p.m.
Following is the schedule of events:
10:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies
11 a.m. - 1500 M Coed
11:05 a.m. - 25 M Walk
11:30 a.m. - 50 M Dash 8-11 Coed; Shot Put Open
11:30 a.m. - 50 M Dash 12-15 Coed; Running Long Jump
11:45 a.m. - 50 M Dash 16-29 Coed; Standing Long Jump OPEN; 400 M Coed
12:05 p.m. - 10 M Wheelchair
12:10 p.m. - 25 M Wheelchair; 50 M Dash 30 Over; Turbojav Open
12:15 p.m. - Ball Throw
12:20 p.m. - 30 M Wheelchair Slalom; Softball Throw 16-21
12:30 p.m. - 100 M Dash 8-11 Coed
12:40 p.m. - 100 M Dash 12-15 Coed Softball Throw 22-29
12:50 p.m. - 200 M Walk
1:00 p.m. - Softball Throw 30 Over
1:15 p.m. - 100 M Dash 16-21 Coed
1:25 p.m. - 800 M Combined; Softball Throw 8-11
1:35 p.m. - 100 M Dash 22-29 Coed; Softball Throw 12-15
1:50 p.m. - 100 M Dash 30 Over
2:05 p.m. - 200 M Jr. Coed
2:10 p.m. - 200 M Sr. Coed
2:30 p.m. - 4 x 100 Relay Jr.; 4 x 100 Relay Sr.
2:45 p.m. - 4 x 400 Relay Jr.; 4 x 400 Relay Sr.
3:15 p.m. - Competition Ends
3:30 p.m. - Closing Ceremonies