Junior Olympics: dedication, commitment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Perseverance, dedication and commitment are three words that can transform the lives of anyone. For the more than 7,000 young athletes competing in the 2011 USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, those three words transformed them into future Olympians.

McConnell Airmen showed "service before self" to these committed athletes by volunteering during the six days of competitions, July 26 to 31, 2011, at Wichita State University's Cessna Stadium, Wichita, Kan. Approximately 40 Airmen joined more than 400 community members to help.

McConnell Airmen volunteered more than 300 hours.

Event hosts needed assistance with everything from measuring shot-put throws, providing first aid and medical support, setting hurdles and assisting with race starts.

"We really appreciate the help McConnell provides," said Gabe Lippencott, Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission director of entertainment and volunteer coordinator.

The USA Track and Field Junior Olympics is the largest youth athlete developmental program in the world. Athletes compete in age divisions, ranging from 8 to 18 years old, with the introduction of a division for ages 8 and younger this year.

Team McConnell kicked off it's involvement with the Junior Olympics during the opening ceremony Wednesday night at Cessna Stadium. McConnell's Honor Guard presented the colors, Col. Kevin Lamberth, 22nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander, welcomed athletes, parents and coaches to Wichita, a KC-135 Stratotanker flew over the stadium and volunteers helped facilitate the event.

Lamberth commended the athletes for the dedication required to make it to the Junior Olympics.

"Like you, the men and women of the United States military know the meaning of the word commitment - commitment to excellence, commitment to the mission. And it's that commitment that got you here today, and you truly are among the best."

Despite the record breaking heat wave of temperatures over 100 degrees that settled upon Wichita, volunteers spent hours in the open sun working hard keeping the meet running smoothly and safely.

"I don't know how the Junior Olympians did it," said Marvina Walker, 22nd Communications Squadron knowledge operations apprentice. "Working on the track and moving the metal starting blocks was a constant reminder of the heat. But if the athletes could endure it for an entire weekend, I could for a few hours. At the end of the day it was worth it; the athletes were great!"

The extreme heat, high humidity and sparse cloud cover were challenges to overcome, not only for athletes, but for spectators, volunteers and officials as well.

Approximately 20 Airmen from the 22nd Medical Group assisted the 225 medical support personnel at the stadium to help prevent heat-related illnesses and treat injuries sustained during events.

Volunteering for 24 hours to provide water, shaded recovery areas and towels soaked in ice-water after events, Senior Airman Nathan Cutshall, 22nd MDG medical technician, was among those monitoring the health of the athletes.

The athletes were running to the brink of passing out. It was great to be able to help them after they competed, said Cutshall.

During the last day of competition, Sunday at 1 p.m., the temperature measured on the track surface was 163 degrees.

"The dedication of the kids to perform in such extreme temperatures was amazing," said Staff Sgt. Jean Epperson, 22nd MDG flight medicine NCOIC. "Give them some cool water and cool towels and they're good to go."

As the long days of competition ended, the athletes, families, coaches and officials left Wichita to return to their home states. Sunburns and contented exhaustion are reminders of the dedication to excellence experienced by all, including Team McConnell members who committed time to these future Olympians.