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2002 Family Track & Field Games
Texas School for the Deaf
Saturday, May 18, 2002
With temperatures in the low 80s and despite gutsy winds, approximately 120 people came to participate and enjoy the day of running, jumping, and throwing. We started off with field events in the morning and thanks to Gary Threadhills delicious BBQ cooking (turkey legs, sausage wraps, roasted corns, and chopped beef sandwiches), we enjoyed our lunch. We began the afternoon with running events followed by presentations by former WGD-then athletes (now known as Deaflympics). After the presentations, we ended the day with relay events and awards.
Over 35 volunteers and with help from some parents, TSD staff, and security people, the event was a big success even though the school had a lot of events going on last 2 weeks because school closes on the 23rd! We managed to get a good crowd especially good participation from children. 85 children braved the winds and hot sun and 4 adults participated. Some of them backed out due to illness and other plans.
Highlights of the day for the boys were amazing runs by Quentin Rico, future star of Deaflympics, Willie Finch (another future Deaflympics), and the Diaz twins. Quentin, no question the best of bests, was timed 12.4 in 100M dash, 24.0 in 200M dash, and 67.0 in 400M dash. He might be like Wendell Gaskin when he gets older. Willie Finch, a showboating but confident middle school athlete, did well in high jump (1st with 53), long jump (1st with 153), and 4x100 relay (54.54). As for the Diaz twins, their awesome leaping abilities and guts enabled them to win some races (Wesley won 400M dash with 65.00 and 2nd in high jump with 45, 3rd in long jump with 147 2nd in 100M dash with 12.55, 2nd in 200M dash with 26.39 and 1st in 4x100M relay; Aaron won 2nd in long jump with 1411 3/4, 3rd in 100M dash with 12.83, 3rd in 200M dash with 28.3, 3rd in 400M dash with 71.0, and 1st in 4x100M relay).
For boys in younger group, Cy Young, a 5th grader with great arm and legs, captured all events he participated in softball throw, long jump, 60M dash, 100M dash, and 4x75M relay). Jay Hill came in 2nd behind Cy in long jump, 60M dash, and 3rd in 100M dash. For the girls, Melissa Lincoln, getting the talent from her father (Lefty Lincoln, a star at TSD years ago), captured all running events with sizzling times (60M 8.76, 75M 12.22, 100M 16.26, and 400M 1:29.39). Also, a very young thin girl, Michelle Giterman, did well in long jump, and came in 2nd behind Melissa in all running events. Myeisha Justice (justice being served, I guess!) won long jump with eye-popping 113 considering her merely a 5th grader! Zamica, a very athletic young girl with raw potential (getting talent from her father, Cy Saunders), did well in all races she participated 787 in softball throw, 911 3/4 in long jump, 9.19 in 60M dash, 13.22 in 75M dash, 16.66 in 100M dash, and 1:29.44 in 400M dash). Amanda Ortiz, despite not being challenged in her age group, won long jump with 119 1/4, 15.25 in 100M dash, and 34.2 in 200M dash. Kelvin Etkie, in 16-Adult group, won all races he participated in 372 in shot put, 51 in high jump, 12.94 in 100M dash, and 54.11 in 4x100 relay.
The day ended with a group picture and a lot of sunburn on everyone! We really appreciated what we saw and we want to continue doing that on an annual basis. Parents and friends came to us asking us to keep on doing that and they also gave us positive pats! Last but not least, we want to THANK USADTF for helping us getting started especially with decent and eye-catching banner, t-shirts, and ribbons!
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