The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland brought together hundreds of law enforcement personnel and a dozen Special Olympic athletes.
Law Enforcement officers representing police agencies throughout Carroll County got quite a workout as they showed their support of Maryland's Special Olympic athletes Wednesday.
Carroll County's annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland shut down Main Street in Westminster briefly Wednesday. The mission: to escort and protect the Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ as it makes its way toward the opening of the 42nd Anniversary Summer Games at Towson University, June 8 through 10.
Similar Torch Runs took place throughout the state this week.
Law enforcement personnel made their way to Westminster from the outskirts of the county--on foot, on bike and in motorcade. Several groups jogged from as far away as Sykesville and Mount Airy, an 18-mile trek.
According to Westminster Police Chief and event organizer Jeff Spaulding, "the event is all about the athletes".
About a dozen Carroll County athletes competing in the Maryland Special Olympics this weekend participated in Wednesday's Torch Run (see video).
The following Carroll County athletes will be competing in the Maryland Special Olympics this weekend:
Track and Field:
Coach: Kathy Zuback
Athlete: Jessica Zuback
Softball:
Coach: Anthony Parrish and Michael Linthicum
Athletes: Mary Linthicum, Damien Manuel, James Fanwell, Brendon Rost, TJ Freto, Shawna Trageser, Greg Anderson
Unified Athletes: Ryan Chernock, Megan Reed, Amanda Zier, Ashley Eyler & Dave Freto
Swimming:
Coach: Mike Hurley and Kathy Mayan
Athletes:Russell Alexander, Christopher Anderson, Emily Barker, Bryan Barry, Shelley Bowling, Garrison Boyle, Lucy Carter, Adam Dankner, William Davis, Tori Eshelman, Danny Ferguson, Ralph Gemmill, Daniel Graham, Michael Granata, Matt Hamilton, Linda Harris, David Henline, Tammy Holibaugh, Kelly Hoover, Nicole Hurley, Robert Shilling, Jesse Shaffer, Richard Roebuck, George Radebaugh, Robin Pearl, Gabriel Levesque, Kelly Sigmon, Erica Wheeler, Geoff Wolf, John Nuzzo
Unified Athletes: Matt Ball, Ben Immink, Carly Hursey, Allison Crim, Jessie Carter and Ellie Culp
Visit the Carroll County Special Olympics website at www.specialolympicscarrollcounty.org.
Kym Byrnes
9:22 am on Friday, June 8, 2012
I was inspired by this event! The law enforcement personnel make a pretty grueling trek to Westminster and their dedication is a testament to the importance of supporting our Special Olympics athletes. Kudos to all involved and GOOD LUCK to our athletes this weekend.
Patricia Linthicum
10:09 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Just got back from opening ceromonies in Towson. AWSOME! Congratulations to Chief Spalding on his induction in the Torch Run Hall of Fame!
Kym Byrnes
12:07 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Patricia, do you have photos from the events this weekend to share? You can email them to me at kym.byrnes@patch.com, I'd love to show off our local athletes!