
By Robert Balajadia
Saturday, March 21st, served as a special day for plenty of individuals at the Okkodo track and field as the 2015 Special Olympics allowed friends, family, teachers, and schools on Guam the opportunity to give their special students a day full of activities.
“More and more schools get involved every year,” said Special Olympics Executive Directory Frank Florig. “This event isn’t geared just for the athletes, but it’s also a healing process for the community. At the end of the day, when we see the community, athletes, and sponsors walk away smiling, then we know it’s such a great healing process.”
For some of these athletes, winning a medal is the highlight of the day, but for most, the highlight of the day is just meeting new people and making new friends.
“Meeting new people from different schools, young or old, to see how they are and how they think things is my favorite part of today,” said Southern High speedster Jarron Marsal, who finished a 100m run in 14 seconds! “I met a cool guy named Moses, and I also met two little kids and I was helping to motivate them.”
As far as his 14 second dash, Marsal attributed his speed to having fun.
“I hardly train for it, but if I do train I train with my brother at the park and we have fun. Sometimes I run in front of my Nana’s house,” said Marsal.
Students were allowed to participate in activities such as a 100m run, an inside bowling and basketball competition, spending and running jumps, and even ball tosses.
The day was seized by the athletes, but the family involved admitted that the day is just as enjoyable for them.
“My mission right now is to help my grandson, and he loves an event like this,” said Bernadita Aguon on her 8th grade grandson Jesse Aguon from FB Leon Guerrero middle school. “Every year we have to come to this event, we make it a point to. He has a lot of fun, and it gives me an opportunity to get out of the house and stretch the legs. [Jesse] tries really hard to win a medal every year.”
“It’s very important for us parents to be involved in an event like today because it shows them that we love our children. By joining this event, it gives them an opportunity to participate and join in on some activities,” said Amy Blas, mother of 8th grader Joel Blas also from FBLG.

FBLG 6th grader Mike Menesis poses with his favorite teacher Eileen Balajadia. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Thank You
Florig wanted to highlight plenty of the days sponsors, including GDOE and the GEFF for allowing the special olympics to be held at the Okkodo Field for the 5th straight year. He also wanted to thank the military and their families for donating the military tents and equipment for the games uses. Governor Eddie Baza Calvo came out to support the day, along with all the senators.
The sponsors include McDonald’s, iCan, First Hawaiian Bank, MBI, and Fashional were just some of the companies mentioned.
“We also have an amazing board of directors that come from all walks of life. This board is like no other, they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty and just make things happen,” said Florig.
PHOTO GALLERY:


GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Running/Track
SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRACK EVENT ON APR 1

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
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Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.