Sprinters approach the finish line in a close race.
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
By the hundreds, the athletes came from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Maryland and Virginia.
The 566 Junior Olympians, who ran, jumped and tossed their way to gold medals in Sea Isle City on the Fourth of July, seemed just as serious about winning as the U.S. and international Olympians who compete on the world stage for fame and glory.
Take 5-year-old Isabelle “Izzy” Lubic, who showed some serious concentration when she lined up for the long jump. Crouching down to generate extra power in her little legs, she lifted off and landed in a small cloud of dust.
Izzy was dressed in a Captain America outfit for the competition. Her attire was fitting, because she and all of the other Junior Olympians displayed superhero-like athletic qualities.
“I had some butterflies,” Izzy admitted after she competed in the long jump. “But it was good that I jumped.”
A crowd in the hundreds packs Sea Isle's Dealy Field recreation complex.
The Junior Olympics are held each Fourth of July at Dealy Field, Sea Isle’s recreation and athletic complex. They are a centerpiece of the town’s family-friendly holiday celebration. The Junior Olympics date to 1965, making them one of Sea Isle’s oldest holiday traditions. They are hosted by the Sea Isle Division of Recreation and the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City.
“It’s a time-honored tradition,” said Russ McConnell, commodore of the Yacht Club.
McConnell noted that the Junior Olympics reflect the same patriotic and family ideals that are part of the national Fourth of July celebration.
“Altogether, it really opens up our club and community,” he said.
About 100 members from the Yacht Club volunteered for the event to help make it a success. One of them, Frank Urso, who serves as chairman of the Yacht Club’s board, dressed up as Uncle Sam and was a popular figure for selfies with kids and adults. Uncle Sam also helped out McConnell to present the kids with their medals.
The Junior Olympics are open to children from 3 to 13. The top three finishers for their age group in each competition are awarded Olympic-style medals while standing on a three-tiered podium. Some of the kids triumphantly raised their arms in celebration or flashed the No. 1 sign after medals were draped around their neck.
Nicholas Venafra, 4, is presented with a gold medal by Russ McConnell, commodore of the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City.
Nicholas Venafra, 4, was presented with his gold medal after winning the beanbag-throwing competition for his age group. But he was too shy to speak afterward.
“He’s a modest champion,” joked his mother, Jessica Venafra, who lives in Havertown, Pa., and has a summer vacation home in Sea Isle.
Some of the kids compete year after year in the Junior Olympics. The event has been going on for so long that it is not unusual for the grandparents or parents of the current generation of athletes to have competed in the Junior Olympics years ago.
Izzy Lubic was joined by her older sisters, Vienna, 11, and Peyton, 10, to make it a family gathering.
“This is the second time for Izzy in the Junior Olympics. She’s a regular. She loves it,” said her mother, Colleen Lubic, a resident of Media, Pa., whose parents have a summer home in Sea Isle.
Sprinters approach the finish line in a close race.
Izzy’s sister, Peyton, competed in all of the running, jumping and throwing competitions.
“I like getting medals,” Peyton said of her favorite part of competing.
J.C. and Nicole Costa, of Havertown, Pa., brought their daughter, Lena, 4, and 3-year-old son, T.J., to the Junior Olympics for the first time.
“They’re just excited to race and compete,” J.C. Costa said.
In another highlight of the day, the Costa kids also had their photo taken with Uncle Sam.
Lena Costa said she enjoyed competing in the sprint and beanbag toss.
She made it clear to her parents that she had no intention of missing the Junior Olympics.
“I told them I wanted to go,” she said.
Lena and T.J. Costa have their picture taken with Uncle Sam, portrayed by Yacht Club member Frank Urso.
