The occasion was the township's seventh-annual Junior Olympic program, held in the Weehawken High School gymnasium on Saturday and Sunday.
The event has become so huge locally that they now have to hold it over two days.
"It's just too much to do in one day like we used to do," said Weehawken Recreation Director Chuck Barone.
Nearly 200 youngsters from first through sixth grades participated in the two-day event, sponsored by both the Weehawken Department of Recreation and the Board of Education.
The participants were specifically selected - four boys and four girls from each classroom in Webster (first and second grades) and Roosevelt (grades three through six) schools.
They were chosen by the respective physical education teachers at the schools, Mike Finnizio (Webster) and Joe Perez (Roosevelt).
The youngsters competed in several events: high jump, long jump, broad jump, shot put, discus and javelin (using special rubberized equipment), obstacle course, hurdles, the 400 and 800 meter runs, and a relay race.
This year, for the first time, archery was included among the medal-winning events.
"Because of the archery program in the school, we expanded the Junior Olympics to include archery," Barone said.
Each of the participants received a T-shirt representing their school for participating. The Webster School kids received a green shirt, while Roosevelt School students proudly wore their school colors of blue and gold.
National program
The Weehawken Junior Olympics are part of the national program set up by the President's Council for Physical Fitness. The students are taught the proper techniques of the events in their respective gym classes during the school year, then practice before the two-day event.
"The gym teachers basically act as coaches in preparing the kids for the Olympics," Barone said. "This way, they have a feel for the different events and they know what to expect when the Olympics come up in March."
According to Barone, the program also enables youngsters who don't necessarily have a chance to succeed in the township's other major sports (football, basketball and baseball) to excel in another venue. Barone said, "They all seem to have a good time and get really excited about being in it. We really try to give it an Olympic flavor, complete with the flags of different countries, a parade of competitors, and a torch bearer."
The opening ceremonies Saturday featured the parade, followed by the presentation of the torch bearer, who read the Athletics and Olympics Creed.
"They march into the gym to the Olympic theme," Barone said. "We really try to give it the feeling of the Olympics. We played on the fact that the Winter Olympics just ended."
Seven medals each!
Some of the day's better participants were Donato Cieri and Stephanos Cocoves, both of whom captured seven medals each.
Sure enough, when the competitors collected their medals, they did so while on a medal stand, complete with first, second and third place pedestals.
"You can see the excitement in their faces when they receive their medals," Barone said. "When they're on the stand, it's really something to see."
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner was on hand to help present the medals.
"It's great fun," Turner said. "There's nothing more rewarding than seeing the kids standing on the podium, receiving the medals, and seeing their faces absolutely beaming with pride. The parents are thrilled, the kids are excited. It's a great way to end the winter months. It's two long days, but we're able to get great parental support. They all turn out and they get excited."
Barone credited the efforts of the gym teachers who volunteered their time during the two days to coordinate the program.
"They give up their time all weekend," Barone said. "Incredibly, they want to see if they can add more events for next year. They're really dedicated. Joe Perez wants to see if he can keep adding more and more kids, because he has so many who want to participate. The running races really draw a lot of attention and everyone gets excited. The gym gets so loud with excitement."
Barone is impressed how the program has grown over the years.
"I think when we first implemented it, we weren't sure how many kids would get involved," Barone said. "But now, we have 200 or so kids involved over a full weekend. It's great to have so many kids involved."
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com.
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