Edison holds Unified Sports track meet

SUCCESSFUL TRACK MEET — The Edison Unified Sports Complex took on a whole new meaning as it hosted an inclusive track meet with Indian Creek and Buckeye Local High School teams as part of the Unified Champion Schools sports program. Athletes took part in individual and team relays and earned ribbons for their efforts. – Contributed

RICHMOND — Edison High School’s Unified Sports Complex took on a whole new meaning on Tuesday as it hosted an inclusive track meet.

Teams from Edison, Indian Creek and Buckeye Local joined for the first unified sports track event which combined general and special education students in a series of events while school and family members cheered them on from the stands. The teams took part in 100-meter, 200-meter and a 4×100-meter relay and earned ribbons for their efforts.

Edison’s team included Alaina Warren, Olivia Ault, Aaron Wade, Garrison Patel, Halee Fish, Jordan Bennett, Hannah Hendrix, Jacob Goski, Gabe Croskey, Kaden Eddy, Jaidyn Carlson, Sydney Frampton, Hannah Woolmaker, Laila Woolmaker, Hannah Russell, Becka Evans, Grace Browning, Abbi Cunningham, Emma LoPrete and Mason Eisnaugle. Among Indian Creek’s team were Brayden Stewart, Emma Castillo, David Howell, James Donaldson, Ava Pattera and Jo Jo Huzovic of Steubenville Catholic Central while student Katelynn Daugherty was coach and Curry Triplett assisted ICHS UCS Coordinator Tom Mort. Buckeye Local’s team, which was led by UCS Coordinator Lindsay Orr, included Ryan Cook, Emily Harris, Zoe Parrish, Shawn Jordan, Trey McCoy, Zoe Ralston, Kai McConnell and Olivia Reimer.

The 100m race concluded with Edison’s Aaron Wade in first place, Brayden Stewart of Indian Creek at second, James Donaldson of ICHS at third and Garrison Patel of Edison coming in fourth, while the 200m dash resulted in a first-place win for Edison’s Gabe Croskey with James Donaldson of ICHS at second, Jacob Goski of Edison at third and Brayden Stewart of ICHS at fourth. The 4×100 relay ended with the Edison team of Sydney Frampton, Hannah Woolmaker, Hannah Russell and Laila Woolmaker in first place; Edison’s Kaden Eddy, Jaidyn Carlson, Jacob Goski and Aaron Wade, second; Buckeye Local’s Shawn Jordan, Ryan Cook, Emily Harris and Trey McCoy, third; and Indian Creek’s Brayden Stewart, Emma Castillo, James Donaldson and Ava Pattera at fourth.

Jason Ensinger, school Unified Champion Schools coordinator, said the activity gathered people for something fun and inclusive. Students from Edison, ICHS and BLHS also brought signs and the crowd cheered on athletes while the rain thankfully stayed away during the festivities.

EHS Principal Matt Morrison and ICHS team coordinator Tom Mort also heckled each other in jest to add to the fun. Ensinger said everyone worked hard to prepare for the race.

“I’m happy that the weather cooperated. The kids got to practice and I’m happy to see them perform,” he continued. “I’m sure the cheering got them excited and I hope this is a stepping-off point for future events. A special thanks also go to EHS students Olivia Brousseau and Liam Westfall, who served as our track officials for the event. They took advantage of our officiating class at EHS and have become certified track officials this school year.”

Several of the athletes shared how ecstatic they were to participate.

“It’s fun and there were a lot of people here,” said EHS senior Alaina Warren.

“I’m super excited,” said ICHS freshman Emma Castillo. “I want to run track and be a cheerleader.”

“I was scared and nervous,” said Zoe Parrish, a freshman at BLHS.

“I feel good, happy and excited,” added BLHS eighth-grader Ryan Cook.

Additionally, Mort said it was a fantastic experience for the athletes.

“It was a wonderful event. Edison High school students and staff were great hosts and Mr. Ensinger did a very good job organizing the events and recognizing our athletes,” he added. “We are looking forward to hosting the Wildcats’ unified football team in the fall, and we hope to make this track meet a yearly event.”

“I think it was a great opportunity for inclusion and fun,” Orr commented. “I loved how the students at Edison were out there cheering for everyone.

“It is my hope that my students will realize that participation in unified sports activities is fun and rewarding. I hope we can expand our participation next year and even host events.”

Edison’s Unified Sports program is also eying flag football, basketball and other events and encourages inclusion and interaction in clubs and athletics. Ensinger is coordinating the school program with district Director of Special Education Jamie Angelini and EHS Leadership Council Advisors Greg Marsh and Danah Beaver while Jefferson County Special Olympics Coordinator and county Board of Developmental Disabilities Activities Director Steve Forte and Unified Champion Schools Director of Youth Engagement Kristi Peters were also involved.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns organization is also supplying jerseys for all three schools’ teams as a Special Olympics partner.

Forte said hopefully more schools will get on board and build the unified sports concept in the local area.

“We’re getting there, and event by event and school by school it’s catching on. We couldn’t be more satisfied,” he concluded. “Mr. Ensinger did an excellent job and we witnessed some positivity today.”