BIG EVENT — Edison High School hosted its second annual Unified Champion Sports track meet on May 12 in Richmond and held a friendly rivalry with Indian Creek High School in an inclusive event. Three races were held with individual and team winners earning ribbons while everyone was a champion. – Contributed

RICHMOND — Student athletes were on their mark as Edison and Indian Creek high schools took part in the second Unified Champion Sports track meet on May 12.

The inclusive event included teams of typical students and those with developmental or intellectual needs in a friendly rivalry at the Edison Unified Sports Complex in Richmond, where students from both schools and the athletes’ family members could also watch and rally for the runners. Individual and team relays were held during the nearly hour-long activity, including a 100-meter dash, a 200m dash and a 4×100 relay. Participants for Edison included Olivia Ault, Kaden Eddy, Aaron Wade, Brayden Carlson, Mitchel Cronin, Jaidyn Carlson, Gabe Croskey, James Bonecutter, Olivia Rudder, Tevin Leanza, Ryan Burke-Reed, Brennan Butcher, Sydney Frampton and Anthony Rohall, the latter of The School of Bright Promise who represented EHS as his home school. Additionally, Indian Creek runners included Brayden Stewart, Misha Amis, Kaleb Manion, David Howe, Alex Fabian, Haylee Shaffer, Kaitlin Daughtery, James Donaldson, Franco Barcalow, Josh Gampolo, Lucian Pietro, Shayne Scott, Blissney Locke, Abbey Pendleton and Tylee Spencer.

The 100m dash ended with Creek’s Brayden Stewart in first place, followed by Edison’s Aaron Wade and Kaden Eddy in second and third place, respectively. Edison’s Gabe Croskey then led Creek’s Stewart and Edison’s Mitchel Cronin in the 200m race. Finally, the Wildcats’ teams earned all top three spots in the 4×100 relay with James Bonecutter, Olivia Rudder, Tevin Leanza and Ryan Burke-Reed finishing first, followed by Brennan Butcher, Sydney Frampton, Mitchel Cronin and Aaron Wade in second place with Olivia Ault, Jaidyn Carlson, Brayden Carlson and Gabe Croskey coming in third. All of those recipients gained ribbons for their hard work.

Several athletes commented that it was great fun and they enjoyed being involved.

“It felt good,” said Kaleb Manion of ICHS. “I like the great sportsmanship.”

“It was good,” noted Creek’s Brayden Stewart. “I like being with friends.”

“I liked running and the teamwork,” said Edison’s Tevin Leanza.

“I liked hanging out with my friends and it’s good to win with the team,” added Brayden Carlson of EHS.

Edison Unified Champion Sports Coordinator Jason Ensinger said the event was a way to spotlight everyone no matter their abilities.

“The mission of Unified Sports is that everyone cheers for everyone. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose,” said Ensinger. “We’re starting to have more events and I hope to see it grow. I think the kids have a wonderful time.”

Amber Scott, who represented Indian Creek Unified Champion Sports, echoed those comments and said inclusion was a great way to bring everyone together.

“I thought it went great. It’s amazing to see everyone get together for this meet and to see the inclusion,” Scott said, adding that she hoped to see activities expand in the future. “It would be nice to end the year with one big event and all of the schools involved in unified sports. We would like to expand and make it happen, and that’s the process in the future. Everybody gets involved.”





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