Vance hosts Area 6 Special Olympics track, field competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Vance Air Force Base is scheduled to host the 43rd Cherokee Strip Area 6 Special Olympics track and field competition March 15, beginning at 9 a.m.

Approximately 200 local athletes will compete in 13 track and field events. Guest speaker Brent Price, who played for the National Basketball Association as a point guard for the Sacramento Kings, will address the athletes before the games start.

This is the final event that will qualify athletes for the state's Special Olympics competition.

"It's not just about the competition," said Maj. Matt Cummins, an Air Force Reserve instructor pilot with the 5th Flying Training Squadron here, and coordinator for this year's Special Olympics event. "We have also set up an Olympic Village for the athletes to enjoy themselves."

The Olympic Village will provide an area for athletes can relax and have fun while they aren't competing. Activities like carnival games, a bounce castle and face painting will be available, said Cummins.

"The base always does a phenomenal job putting things together," said Jaci Tolbert, a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Monroe Elementary School, in Enid, Okla., and coach for the Special Olympics. "It's always so well organized.

"The athletes truly, truly appreciate it, and look forward to it all year. They always have such a great time. I hope it gets held (at Vance) forever," said Tolbert.

This year's event is 100 percent volunteer run. Approximately 150 Team Vance have signed up to be a part of the event, said Cummins.

"This is a great example of Vance's partnership with the community," said Cummins. "We will provide the manpower and organization while the community provides resources, such as food and T-shirts for the event."

Through the Chiller Challenge, the Enid Civitan Club raised and donated approximately $3,000 to the Special Olympics event at Vance. The donation will provide the food and T-shirts, said Cummins.

Vance's Top 3 will serve free burgers to all attendees for lunch. The Top 3 is a service organization whose members are senior enlisted Airmen on base.