1,000 athletes compete at Villanova’s Special Olympics Fall Fest

VILLANOVA, Pa. (WPVI) — More than 1,000 athletes converged on Villanova University this weekend for the 36th annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

The event featured various types of competitions, including flag football, long distance walking and running, and soccer.

“Everyone is learning about inclusion,” said Matt Aaron, president of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. “When you come here to Villanova and see Fall Fest, you see inclusion in action.”

In addition to the athletes, who came from all over Pennsylvania, there were 5,000 student volunteers on hand to help run the event.

“We have 100 students who work year-round to plan this,” Aaron said. “When the athletes come here to campus and interact with the students, it’s pure joy.”

For the athletes, it’s also a chance to show off their months of training for the competition.

“I stretch, I do a lot of warm-ups, I stay hydrated, I make sure my body is good,” said Melissa Lorback, an athlete from Chester Springs.

She has competed in two track events so far and is proud of her performance.

“The energy is so high. I love how pumped everyone is and how everyone is so welcoming,” she said.

Her teammate Lisa Robinson also competes and has visited the podium a few times. Both say even more exciting than the competition is the camaraderie that comes with this event.

“Seeing and making new friends, seeing old friends,” Robinson said.

It’s the positive atmosphere that keeps them coming back year after year.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming to Villanova, and if you can’t make it, thank you for supporting us,” Lorback said.

It’s a weekend-long event, so there’s still time to get involved. Those who want to volunteer can show up at Villanova University, go to the sign-up table and be put to work for Sunday’s competition.