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Courtesy photo Special STARS athlete Charlie Hodgkinson (front) works hard to push his wheelchair in the 25-meter race against Tim Johnson on Saturday, Nov. 10.

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published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012

STARS compete in track and field

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - Athletes with various disabilities gathered at Ridge Area Arc's track on Saturday, Nov. 10, to participate in the Special STARS Track and Field and Cycling competition.

Members of the South Florida State College Volleyball team kicked off the competition by carrying in the torch during the opening ceremony.

They were escorted by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office and the West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department.

The torch was passed off to special athlete Ilana Levy who carried it to Bill Wheeler, then Francesca DiMeglio and finally Tim Johnson carried it to the starting line.

Daniel Washington with the Avon Park High School Jr. ROTC presented the American flag while the national anthem was played.

There were approximately 50 athletes competing at the event. They competed for ribbons presented after lunch.

The two-wheel cyclist did a 1-kilometer race.

Eva Monk and Ricky Marino placed first while Billy Wheeler and Shawn Squires won second.

In the three-wheel cycling they went 500 meters.

First place winners were Mac Smith and Katie Gibson.

Maricel Moreno and Dustin Akey won second.

Emily Harrison and Minnie Sue Reid won third while Bryan Bishop got fourth.

Tim Johnson took first place in the 25-meter wheelchair event.

Charlie Hodgkinson won second, Jimmy Phipps won third and Hormel Biggs got fourth.

In the 50-meter walk, first place winners were Bobby Byrd, Helena Spies and Nicole Lewis.

Second place winners were Rob Ward, Francesca DiMeglio and Lewis Simpson.

Third place finishers were Frances Goff, Terry Richardson and Alan Kufnowski. Megan Eisnaugle won fourth.

In the 50-meter run, first place winners were Mark Rieke, Kerrie Baker and Ricky Singer.

Second place winners were Edrei Lopez, Dama Massey and Timmy Cypress.

Third place winners were Jim Kentfield, Kenny Robers and Jacquelyn Furry. Bruce Brummett won fourth while Fred Moore won fifth.

In the 100-meter run, first place finishers were Bill Sobczak and Ilana Levy.

Second place winners were John Davis and Greg Robinson.

Third place was won by Alex Lopez and John Smith.

Field events included tennis ball throw, shot put and softball throw.

Jimmy Phipps won first in the tennis ball throw while Hormel Biggs took second.

In shot put, Ilana Levy was first place in the women's division while Greg Robinson was first for the men.

Bill Sobczak won second and John Davis won third in the men's shot.

In softball throw, there were seven heats.

First place winners were Rene Herrera, Jim Kentfield, Lewis Simpson, Nicole Lewis, Rob Ward, John Smith and Gregory Ruggs.

Second place winners were Frances Goff, Tim Johnson, Kerrie Baker, Sarah Moore, Bobby Byrd, Jacquelyn Furry and Alex Lopez.

Third place winners were Kenny Roberts, Timmy Cypress, Francesca DiMeglio, Alan Kufnowski, Dama Massey, Sharon Carpenter and Mark Rieke.

Fourth place was won by Charlie Hodgkinson, Lorraine Steeves, Helena Spies, Terry Richardson, Leslie Hollandy, Bruce Brummett and Edrei Lopez, while Megan Eisnaugle won fifth place.