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Everyone's A Big Winner At Olympic Events In Pasco

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 22, 2008

Updated: 02/21/2008 11:57 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY -- It wasn't about how or where they finished, but more about the effort put forth.

That was the theme Thursday at River Ridge High School in Pasco County as several hundred Special Olympians ran, walked, raced in wheelchairs, tossed balls and participated in other athletic events.

Richard Klepatski wasn't alone as he propelled his wheelchair down the track. Teacher Todd Hilkene stayed with Richard every inch of the way, leaping and shouting and creating an all-out ruckus as he urged the 11-year-old Cotee River Elementary student toward the finish line.

Richard grinned at his teacher's antics. The going was slow, but the wheelchair kept moving. The other competitors in the race had finished, leaving the track all to Richard and Hilkene.

Hilkene kept shouting and hopping and making a spectacle of himself. Richard kept grinning.

The student would not quit. The teacher would not quit.

The moment Richard reached the finish line, his body touching the blue tape, Hilkene shouted a triumphant, "Yes!" and then grabbed Richard's wheelchair and spun him around several times in a victory dance.

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