FIREFIGHTING OLYMPIANS CARRY TORCH; STATE EVENT FEATURES 2,000 COMPETITORS IN 23 EVENTS.Byline: Sonia Giordani / Daily News Staff Writer Firefighter Scott Schweitzer Scott Schweitzer (born August 12, 1971 in Rahway, N.J.) is an American soccer coach and former professional soccer player. Currently, he is the head coach of Carolina RailHawks FC. College soccer Schweitzer was 4-year letter winner at N.C. State University. pulled on his wet suit as he prepared for a half-mile race in icy Pacific waters. The swim was the first leg in Sunday's triathlon event. Schweitzer was among the more than 40 firefighters from around the state gathered at Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station on Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
``What can I say? I'm a glutton glutton: see wolverine. for punishment,'' said Schweitzer, 43, of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, who completed the triathlon's half-mile swim, 22-mile bike race and 5-mile run as a one-man team. Hosted by the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, the weeklong summer games This article is about the Epyx video game series. For the international multi-sport event, see Summer Olympic Games. Summer Games is a sports video game developed by Epyx and released by U.S. Gold based on sports featured in the Summer Olympic Games. will see more than 2,000 firefighters compete in 23 events from baseball and basketball to volleyball and water skiing water skiing, sport of riding on skis along the water's surface while being towed by a motorboat. It probably originated on the French Riviera in the early 1920s, and was known in the United States by 1927. . ``My first goal is to finish. My next goal is to not embarrass myself,'' quipped Schweitzer. But still sporting a competitive streak, he added that he hoped to eke out eke out Verb [eking, eked] 1. to make (a supply) last for a long time by using as little as possible 2. a medal for the day before heading back to Burbank Fire Station 15, where he worked the Sunday afternoon shift. The first California Firefighters Olympics was held in San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden in 1971 as an opportunity for colleagues to get together in friendly competition and to provide an informal forum for discussions. The summer games have continued ever since, hosted alternately in Northern and Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . Ventura Fire firefighters this year spent the last several months preparing to host the event, which will benefit charities throughout Ventura County. Organizers said they hope the sales of T-shirts and a special benefit luau Tuesday will generate more than $20,000 in proceeds. ``It's great to be able to host the event,'' said fire Capt. Tom Niemann of Station 41 in Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. , who attended the games Sunday to cheer on athletes from his station. ``It's a chance to see a lot of people from around the state.'' Tom Mitchell of Sacramento traveled all the way to Ventura to compete in the triathlon and in baseball for his first summer Olympic games The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event held every four years, organised by the International Olympic Committee. . ``I'm competing against myself. It's really a physical and a mental challenge,'' said Mitchell. More locally, however, the summer games are undeniably a time to indulge in some friendly competition with good friends. The six athletes from Station 41 in Simi Valley to compete Sunday organized themselves into two groups - the members of the fire truck against those of the fire engine. ``We hope to at least beat the other group from the station,'' joked firefighter Chris Dumbauld of Truck 41. To firefighter Jim Arledge of Fire Engine 41, the goal of competing in the summer games was to get in shape and have some fun with friends. ``The goal has already been accomplished,'' he said. ``Today's the fun day. Our families are here, and afterward we'll have a picnic on the beach together.'' CAPTION(S): 5 Photos PHOTO (1--color in SAC edition only) Firefighters jockey for position in the bicycle race portion of the triathlon, one of 23 events in the California Firefighters Olympics that began Sunday. (2--color in SAC only) Participants hit the surf to begin the swim race in the Firefighters Olympics that brought together competitors from around the state. (3--ran in SAC only--color) Scott Schweitzer scrambles to put on his running shoes for the 5-mile run, the next event after the 22-mile bike race. ``What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment,'' said Schweitzer, 43, of Santa Clarita. (4--ran in Conejo edition only--color) Maureen Bakey of Thousand Oaks tags her relay partner and starts off on her part of a triathlon at the California Firefighters Olympics. (5--ran in Simi edition only--color) Moorpark Firefighter Ron Oatman, right, charges from the water during the Firefighters Olympics triathlon at Point Mugu on Sunday. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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