New and old friends stopped by for handshakes and hugs Saturday as the Blair Bears stretched on the field turf at Omaha Northwest's Kinnick Stadium.
Nathan Tanderup and Megan Bailey, wearing purple Blair Special Olympics T-shirts tucked into black shorts, reached for their toes and pulled at their muscles with direction from coach Dixie Trevarthen. They were preparing for the 200-meter dash at Nebraska Special Olympic's Summer Games.
After a one-last walkthrough on the track, the Bears were prepared to run and did.
The meet was just one of several Summer Games events in Omaha, May 17 through Saturday. Volleyball started competition before the opening ceremonies May 18. Swimming and gymnastics were contested, too.
At Northwest High School, though, the Bears walked, ran and more. Bailey was first in her 200 dash, while also taking fifth in the 400, according to Trevarthen.
Tanderup, meanwhile, took fifth in the 200, but was second in the 100-meter dash. Matthew Dryden and Bradley Dunham also ran the 100 and claimed first-place finishes.
Blair's Wayne Boggs earned fourth in the 100 walk and David Harkey was first in the 800. Larry McDonald claimed first in the 50 walk, while April Ward took first in the 50-meter wheelchair event.
Jimmy Trevarthen, Dryden, Dunham, McDonald and Ward produced top-five softball throw attempts as well.
To conclude a successful competition season, which also included bowling during the winter months, Blair Special Olympics celebrated its successes with a Sunday afternoon potluck at Steyer Park.
