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2011 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

 

          The 2nd Annual Special Olympics In-Shore Fishing Tournament sponsored by the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run was held on April 30th and was labeled a tremendous success by Tournament Director Perry Police Department Sgt. Lin Gray.  Eighty-two (82) anglers came out and fished in beautiful weather throughout the day in order to attempt to catch fish in several different categories.  There were approximately $3000 in prizes given away during the tournament, and proceeds from the tournament benefited local Taylor County Special Olympics athletes and their families.  

          The largest Redfish sponsored by Doctor’s Memorial Hospital was caught by Keith Gober of Perry, FL and weighed 6.94 lbs.  The second largest Redfish was sponsored by Dale Young of Young Striping and Sealing and was caught by Jeff Evans of Steinhatchee, FL and weighed 6.62 lbs.  The largest Trout was sponsored by Ware Oil & Supply and Huddle House and was caught by Brett Brantley of Perry and weighed 5.91 lbs.  The second largest Trout was sponsored by Perry Burger King and was caught by Kyle Blue of Perry and weighed 5.83 lbs.   The Redfish with the most spots category was sponsored by AmVets Post #20 of Perry and Amy Gray of Dayspring Assisted Living of Perry and was caught by Paul Crowder of Jacksonville, FL who caught one that had a whopping 13 spots. 

          Not to be outdone, or out-fished by the adults, several children “weighed in” as well with their largest Pinfish.  Katie Ricketson of Perry, FL weighed in her Pinfish for 1st Place and Treyton Kirk also of Perry, FL, and fishing on the same boat, weighed in for 2nd Place.  Jacob Lyndall, also of Perry, FL, fishing from the dock, took 3rd Place honors with his Pinfish.     

          In addition to those categories, BP Oil and Ware Oil & Supply sponsored a Redfish/Trout Slam where both a Trout and Redfish had to be weighed together for the prize of $1000 worth of BP gas cards.  Keith Gober and Jeff Evans actually tied in this category with a combined weight of 11.19 lbs.  They split the $1000 worth of gas cards but Sgt. Gray said that both of them were still very happy about not having to pay for gas for several days, as now even $500 won’t get you very far.

          Sgt. Gray said that Billy Grant of Perry Auto Supply, Waymond Carroll of Jack’s Boats and Trailers, Pouncey’s and, Wal-Mart all donated prizes for a drawing that was held at the end of the tournament.  He indicated that those businesses and individuals were more than willing to become part of a family of people from all walks for life who gain a greater understanding and appreciation for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.  He also indicated that there was absolutely no hesitation from any of the sponsors to help out with such an awe-inspiring organization such as Taylor County Special Olympics.    

          Sgt. Gray also said that the Tournament could not have been a success without the help and participation from businesses and individuals that sponsored the various categories and prizes that were given away during the weigh-in, help from his fellow Law Enforcement Officers and their families, and several athletes and volunteers from Taylor County Special Olympics.  He also expressed thanks to Jerry, Donna and the girls at the Keaton Beach Marina for allowing the Tournament to use their “front porch” for everyone to congregate at during the weigh-in.

          He again indicated that the tournament was a tremendous success in that the tournament not only helped out local athletes and their families financially, but changed the lives of some of the anglers and volunteers who fished and worked it when they realized that the athletes, and their families, are truly extraordinary people.  He also indicated that he appreciated Chief Vern Clark and the Perry Police Department for letting him help with the tournament as it was a pleasure to help an organization that had people involved in it that could be so brave in the face of adversity, and transform attitudes through everyday life through heartfelt uplifting experiences.  Sgt. Gray indicated that those folks were truly remarkable people, and should be treated as such. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Special Olympics

Law Enforcement Torch Run

According to Tournament Director, Perry Police Department Sgt. Lin Gray, the 1st Annual Special Olympics/Law Enforcement Torch Run In-Shore Fishing Tournament held April 24th out of Coastal Taylor County was a tremendous success.  The early morning weather did not exactly cooperate, however, there were still approximately 100 anglers that signed up for the tournament and “weathered the storm” to fish in the tournament.  As the day progressed, the clouds lifted, but the wind did not.  Despite the windy conditions, there were several very nice fish that were weighed in at Keaton Beach Marina. 

 The tournament weigh-in was concluded at 5:00 with about 150 people present to see who hauled in the “biggest catch of the day”.   Lee Coulliette of Perry, FL took top honors, and a $500 cash prize, in the Redfish category with his 1st place redfish that weighed in at 6.81 lbs.  Paul Carter of Valdosta, GA took 2nd place, and a $250 prize, with his redfish that weighed 6.77 lbs.  Phil Altice of Satsuma, FL took the $150 prize for the Redfish with the Most Spots turning in a very nice redfish that had (9) nine spots.  The largest Speckled Trout of the day, which weighed 4.27 lbs, and was worth $500, was caught by Clifford Bean of Mayo, FL.  The 2nd largest trout, worth $250, was caught by Lee McDaniel of Thomasville, GA fishing with the Coastal Angler Fishing Team and it weighed in at 3.74 lbs.  And not to be out-fished by the adults, 8 year old Treyton Kirk of Perry, FL also made the tournament board and collected his $50 prize with a Shiner that weighed in at .43 lbs. 

 Sgt. Gray reminded tournament anglers and on-lookers that the tournament could not have been a success with the help of  different businesses around town that sponsored the different prize categories and raffle prizes.  Ware Oil/Huddle House sponsored the Largest Redfish and Young Striping and Sealing sponsored the 2nd Largest Redfish.   Individual employees of Doctor’s Memorial Hospital sponsored the Largest Trout and Perry Burger King sponsored the 2nd Largest Trout.  Sandy Beach of Big Bend Properties and Amy Cruce of Dayspring Assisted Living sponsored the Redfish with Most Spots category, and Johnson and Johnson #21 sponsored the Largest Shiner category.  All the businesses were thanked for their assistance, to include Jerry Cawthon of Keaton Beach Marina for allowing the tournament to have its weigh-in on his porch, and Joe Mattingly of Rocky’s for loaning the digital scales.    The tournament was concluded with a raffle of a pair of Costa del Mar sunglasses graciously donated by Waymond Carroll of Jack’s Boats and Trailers, and a two night stay at the beach courtesy of Sandy Beach at Big Bend Properties.  Ashley “Warrior” Mock’s ticket was drawn for the Costa sunglasses, and TCSO Sgt. Buddy Lee won the two night stay.  Again, the tournament was a great success and it is thought that it will the first of many “annual” Special Olympics/Law Enforcement Torch Run In-Shore Fishing Tournaments to come.

 Individuals helping with the tournament were Robert Lynn, Greg Lynn, Amy Cruce, Wendell Miles, PPD K-9 Officer Kyle Johnson, PPD Ofc. Chuck Geyer, TCSO Sgt. Steve Bell, DOC Sgt. Dina Lago, DOC Ofc. Amanda Hale, EMS Director/Dep. Marty Tompkins, Asst. EMS Director Chad Bush, DMH Paramedic Micheal Lundy,   FWC Ofc. Randy McDonald, FWC Ofc. Clay Huff, and FWC Ofc. Dale Wilcox

                                          

 

2009

Relay for Life

Tournament  Photos

 

2009 Optimist

Tournament Photos