Junior Olympics are Sea Isle's Winning Tradition on Fourth of July

By Donald Wittkowski Olympians usually aren’t dressed in cute purple sneakers, oversized red sunglasses and a patriotic Fourth of July shirt that had firecrackers whimsically designed to look like popsicles. But Grace Aloi, clad in her colorful outfit, appeared to be in full competitive mode when she stepped up to the long jump pit and leaped forward with all of her might, landing in a small cloud of dust. Spectators erupted in cheers and applause. A smiling Grace acknowledged that she was “really excited” to perform in the long jump. But this Olympian wasn’t quite done for the day. She still had a sprint and a beanbag-tossing competition to go. Pint-sized Grace, just 4 years old, was among nearly 600 children who competed in Sea Isle City’s Junior Olympics, an annual Fourth of July tradition that is one of the centerpieces of the family-friendly events in town to celebrate the holiday. Children 3 to 13 years old compete in sprinting, the long jump and beanbag-tossing in their respective age groups. Organizers aren’t sure exactly how many years the Junior Olympics have been held, but noted that it has been more than 20 years. In the past 10 years alone, nearly 4,500 children have competed, city spokeswoman Katherine Custer said. “I know of some parents who bring their kids here who competed in the Junior Olympics themselves when they were children,” Custer said of the event’s multigenerational appeal. Sponsored by the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City and the city’s Division of Recreation, the event has developed its own reputation as a summer tourist attraction for the beachfront town. “We’ve had people come from as far away as North Carolina,” said Jamie Mulholland, co-chair of the event and a former commodore at the Yacht Club. “Anyone with connections to Sea Isle, whether as a visitor here or as someone who has family here, knows of the Junior Olympics.” The event, an annual Fourth of July tradition, attracts big crowds to Sea Isle's Dealy Field athletic complex. Mulholland noted that 130 volunteers from the Yacht Club joined with the children and parents to make the Junior Olympics a success. “It’s so much work, but it’s 100 percent a labor of love,” she said. “It’s a great event.” Julie Aloi, Grace’s mother, said the Junior Olympics are a draw for her family every year. Grace was joined by her 6-year-old brother, Gavin. Julie Aloi said she’s also had nieces and nephews compete in the event over the years. “It’s a big family event for us,” said Aloi, who lives in Springfield, Pa., and has a summer home in Sea Isle. “We’ve made it a tradition. We have been doing it for about 12 years.” Open to children between the ages of 3 to 13, the Junior Olympics feature the long jump, sprints and beanbag-tossing at Dealy Field, the city’s main athletic complex. The top three finishers for their age group in each competition are awarded Olympic-style medals while standing on a three-tiered podium, but every child receives a ribbon for participating. Hugo Rowbotham, 9, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., climbed to the top step of the podium to accept his medal for winning the long jump in his age group. Someone in the crowd urged Hugo and the two other boys standing on the podium with him to raise their arms triumphantly for a photo. Hugo Rowbotham, in yellow shirt, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., celebrates his win in the long jump competition for 9-year-old boys. Later, Hugo said it felt “great” to win, drawing a smile from his mother, Jenna Rowbotham. However, he made it clear he has no adult Olympics aspirations when he gets older, despite his first-place finish at the Junior Olympics. He seemed surprised by the sheer number of competitors who turned out for the entire event, including his age group. “I think it’s really competitive,” he said.