Published: February 21, 2006 11:47 pm      

Opening ceremony kicks off Special Olympics

The Special Olympics flame was ignited Tuesday night, but it was cool in comparison to the fire burning in nearly 600 inspired athletes.

Athletes, coaches and volunteers were treated to a spectacular opening ceremony in anticipation of today’s start of the Winter Games in the Johnstown region.

About 1,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and others attended the ceremony at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Various speakers and performers thrilled the athletes, who will compete today and Thursday.

“It was great,” said Dennis Eck, a floor-hockey player from Berks County. “We’re psyched up. We’re going to win for our coach.”

Kathleen Kotzman, a figure skater from York County, said the best part of the event was watching the Marine Corps Reserves from Johnstown present the colors at the beginning of the event and listening to the Westmont Hilltop High School band perform.

Cody Fuller, a floor-hockey player from Adams County, said the opening ceremony prepared all the athletes for action.

He said the performance of the Richland junior varsity cheerleaders was great.

The Schilling brothers of Johnstown, downhill skiers with the Cambria County team, agreed that the event was great.

“I’m ready for tomorrow,” Robert Schilling said about the start of competition.

His brothers, Joe and Jon, said the Richland cheerleaders were the stars of the event.

“We’re going to win,” said Joe.

Doug Sodano, a downhill skier with the Cambria County team, said the event was a chance for the athletes to socialize.

“It was a good pep-up for tomorrow and for what (the athletes) are about to achieve,” said the Johnstown resident.

Andrew Sambol of Somerset said the Westmont Hilltop High School’s band performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” sparked the athletes.

“Our team is going to win the gold,” said Sambol, a downhill skier.

While fellow athletes jumped up and down to the song’s rhythm, Bob Rager of the Cambria County team rushed up and danced beside a Westmont Hilltop majorette.

Rachel Livelsberger, a figure skater from York County, said the event was nice.

“It was a good time,” she said.

David Caliendo, a floor-hockey athlete from Allegheny County, said the event was “cool.”

Encouraging the athletes were a number of speakers including Quenteen Robinson of Johnstown, an all-star wide receiver from the Johnstown Riverhawks of the American Indoor Football League.



Frank Sojak may be reached at fsojak@tribdem.com or 532-5058.