SPORTS &
RECREATION
April 18, 2019
 



Students taking part in the opening ceremony's parade: (left to right) Lydia Pearson of Princeton High School, Ben Weaver and Quinton Brady of Smithfield-Selma High, and Jasmine Hernandez of Princeton High.
Story and photo from Johnston County Public Schools

Smithfield-Selma High hosts
Special Olympics Spring Games

Hundred of students from Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) competed in the Special Olympics of North Carolina Spring Games April 11-12 at Smithfield-Selma High School.

The SSS athletic fields were transformed into an Olympic Village to host the games. Elementary aged students competed on Thursday, while middle and high school aged children competed on Friday.

"To see this type of event come together is magical," said Ashley Radford, JCPS director of exceptional children's programs. "It warms your heart to see everyone come together for the students."

Students from across the JCPS district spent the past several months preparing for the competitions. The games were made up of different track and field events including the long jump, softball throw, 25-meter walk and run, 50-meter walk and run, and the 100-meter walk and run.

"The Special Olympics is such an important day in the lives of these students," said West Smithfield Elementary teacher Sarah Crane. "These kids are excited about this event. They don't typically get to participate in school sports. This is a day they get to shine doing something they love."

JCPS assisted Special Olympics of North Carolina in organizing and hosting the Spring Games here. Ms. Crane said teams began preparations last August.

"It takes a lot to put on such a huge event like this," she said. "All of the hours and hard work are totally worth it to be able to see these students smile, compete in the games, and earn their medals."

Hundreds of JCPS students and staff also participated in the games by volunteering their time to help with timing events, distributing medals and ribbons, face painting, and registering and assisting athletes.

"There is so much collaboration that goes into planning for our Spring Games," said Ms. Radford. "From our student volunteers, our teacher volunteers, and Special Olympics of North Carolina, everyone worked together to pull off this event."

VIDEO: Hundreds compete in Special Olympics Spring Games>

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD



SPRING SPORTS at SSS
Follow this link to view schedule of upcoming games & matches>

scores and stats from maxpreps.com
BOYS VARSITY SPORTS GIRLS VARSITY SPORTS
Baseball
Thursday, April 11
Clayton                         4
Smithfield-Selma          0

Tuesday, April 16
Smithfield-Selma          0
Clayton                       10

Team's record: 1-14 overall
0-8 in Greater Neuse 3-A

Golf
Thursday, April 11
Johnston County match
Smithfield-Selma placed 6th of 7

 Softball                                              
Thursday, April 11 (double-header)
Clayton                       12
Smithfield-Selma          0

Clayton                       15
Smithfield-Selma          0

Tuesday, April 16
Princeton                    18
Smithfield-Selma          0

 Team's record: 0-12 overall
0-6 in Greater Neuse 3-A

 Soccer
Thursday, April 11
Clayton                         8
Smithfield-Selma          0

Team's record: 6-8-1 overall
2-6 in Greater Neuse 3-A



SPRING SPORTS at Neuse Charter
 Follow this link to view schedule of upcoming games & matches>

scores and stats from maxpreps.com

BOYS VARSITY SPORTS
 GIRLS VARSITY SPORTS
Baseball
Thursday, April 11
Kinston                       0
Neuse Charter          10         
   Sam Holden, Jason Wendel, and
   Colin Danielson had 2 RBIs apiece,
   Cole Gurley, Elijah Batts, Kreston
   Parker, and Aidan Phillips had 1 RBI
   apiece for the Cougars

 Monday, April 15
Neuse Charter            0
Hobbton                    10

Wednesday, April 17
Neuse Charter            5
Lakewood                   6
    Sam Holden, Jason Wendel,
    Tommy Noles, and Colin Danielson
    each had 1 RBI for the Cougars

Team's record: 5-13 overall
2-8 in Carolina 1-A Conference
Soccer
Monday, April 15
Neuse Charter            3
Hobbton                      1        
   Dargan Harris scored 2 goals,
   Kayla Ham 1 for the Cougars

 Wednesday, April 17
Neuse Charter            5
Lakewood                   1
   Dargan Harris scored 2 goals,
   Tara LePage, C. Wojtkowski,
   and Kayla Ham each scored
   a goal for the Cougars

Team's record: 12-3 overall
9-1 in Carolina 1-A Conference

SMITHFIELD RECREATION HAPPENINGS


EASTER EGG HUNT SIDESTEPS THE SHOWERS

The annual Easter egg hunt at Smithfield Community Park, just like the Masters golf tourney in Augusta, took place without a hitch between Palm Sunday's rain showers. In fact, Parks and Recreation organizers said turnout was larger than last year's event. Why a photo shot through the fence? The Sun's photographer discovered at the last minute that his camera's rechargeable battery was depleted, so he resorted to taking this picture from his parked vehicle after plugging into an AC power outlet.


UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS
at Smithfield Community Park &
the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center (SRAC)


CAMPS FOR FIVE SPORTS
Basketball --- June 10-13 for ages 7-14

Tennis --- July 8-10 for ages 5-16
Wrestling --- July 8-11 for ages 11-18
Baseball --- July 15-18 for ages 7-14
Soccer --- July 22-25 for ages 11-18


ART CLASSES FOR YOUTH
Two sessions offered for ages 9-15
June 24-18 & July 22-26


SUMMER CAMP registration continues
This program for ages 5-12 offers weekly sessions from the first week in June through the first week in August.

LEARN MORE about it here>


Fitness Classes and Alligator Steps (www.alligatorsteps.com) are ongoing.

 

Lifeguard Training Classes and Lifeguard Renewal Classes are being offered this spring. To register go to www.guardsgettrained.com.

 

For more information on any of these activities, contact SRAC at 919-934-1408 or visit the SRAC during normal operating hours: Monday-Thursday 5:30am-9pm, Friday 5:30am-8pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

 
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