SHOWING THEIR OLYMPIC SPIRIT DISABLED ATHLETES GET A CHANCE TO SHINE IN AREA GAMES.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

LANCASTER - More than 700 Special Olympians from San Diego to Santa Barbara gathered in Lancaster on Saturday to participate in the Antelope Valley Special Olympics 23rd annual Hi-Desert Classic.

This event culminates the year-around sports training programs for all mentally handicapped youth and adults in the valley. It is the largest invitational meet of its kind locally.

``This is our big event for the year,'' said Dennis Wick, area director for the Antelope Valley Special Olympics.

Most of the other Special Olympic competitions held throughout Southern California hold contests in different sports on different days. Wick chooses to hold all the sports at the same time.

``We still have the concept that the state has, all the sports in one day. I'm keeping the Olympic spirit,'' said Wick.

That Olympic spirit also includes keeping the tradition of handing out bronze, silver and gold medals instead of ribbons, which the other competitions have changed to.

``We're the only area that still gives them medals,'' Wick said. The $1,500 cost of the medals is donated by the Antelope Valley and Palmdale Kiwanis. ``Because we have such wonderful sponsors, we can still give the medals,'' added Wick.

The daylong competition included the sports of track and field, tennis, boccie, swimming, gymnastics, bowling and basketball.

The proceedings featured the traditional parade of athletes led by the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Honor Guard and the Piute Warrior Marching Band, the lighting of the Olympic torch and pigeon release signifying the beginning of the games.

``It's pretty fun,'' said Jeff Sander, a sophomore at Palmdale High School. Dressed in his maroon team shirt and shorts, Sander had already won a gold medal in the one-mile track competition and was looking forward to his 400 meter race.

This was Sander's sixth competition in the Hi-Desert Classic and he anticipates continuing in the event for a long time to come.

``I'm gonna be racing for a long time, I know that,'' said Sander. ``It's fun, it's always fun. No matter what event you do.'' The next big competition is the State Games, which will take place June 15-17 at California State University, Long Beach. More than 2800 athletes are expected to attend.

``This is considered a warm-up for that,'' said Wick.

Track/field, tennis, boccie and basketball were held at Antelope Valley College; swimming at Eastside Pool, gymnastics at the Desert Christian Gymnastics Center in Lancaster, and bowling at the Brunswick-Sands Bowl.

Lunch for the athletes was provided by the Italian Catholic Federation of Sacred Heart Church. Most of the volunteers were from the Antelope Valley and Palmdale Kiwanis, Lutheran Brotherhood, Latter-day Saints youth groups, State Farm Insurance, and Boeing employees.

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(1 -- 2 -- color) Special Olympics athletes from the Antelope Valley parade during Saturday's Hi-Desert Classic competition in Lancaster. Carrie Gillette, 20, of Covina, wins her heat in the 50-yard race. More than 700 Special Olympians competed Saturday.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer