Hundreds of Athletes Participate in Oswego County Olympiad Invitational
The John C. Birdlebough track and field area was bustling with excitement May 11 as dozens of volunteers and hundreds of spectators cheered on athletes in the 2017 Oswego County Olympiad Invitational.
More than 450 student-athletes — representing all nine component school districts in the county, as well as the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation — participated in the third annual
Olympiad. Participants wore school colors and displayed school spirit while parading around the track to begin the day.
“This is such an awesome day,” said Angie Neiss, a teacher at JCB who helps coordinate the Olympiad. “Everywhere you look, all you see is smiling faces. There’s nothing better than that!”
Fulton native Tim Conners, a cancer survivor who lost his sight while battling T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, served as emcee for the event. He encouraged participants to strive for the seemingly impossible and to overcome adversity one day at a time.
“It’s impossible until you do it,” Conners said as the Olympiad got underway.
Inspired by Conners’ words, student-athletes took to the track for their respective events. In addition to distance races, participants tried events such as shot put, softball throw, long jump and other activities.
“So many people helped make the Olympiad a success,” Neiss said. “Our student-athletes, volunteers, spectators and donors made this possible. What a great event!”