September 2000 Volume 5 Issue 8
Meet the Phenomenal Mark Bialick and John Kalinski.
By Brandi Bard and Ron Boehm
Both of these men who participate in the Special Olympics program, are about 40 years of age, each have a bit of a physical challenge with a speech impediment, and a developmental disability but they excel in physical activities. Mark has participated in about every sport except cycling, and is an all-around Special Olympian. For instance in softball in 1998, Mark pitched a one (1) hit shutout against the Carson, Ca. team, Torrance won by a score of 9- 0. In track and field, (look out Michael Johnson), Mark competed in the 100 and 200 meter dash, in the long jump Mark soared with a fifteen (15) foot jump and got the GOLD MEDAL in the local Summer games this year. YEAH MARK! Mark works for the Torrance Library, he has been there for 10 years, after first completing 6 years of volunteer service at the same library and the James Armstrong Theatre, where he seats the Theatre goers and hands out programs too, to the live Theatre musicals, like The Nutcracker Ballet. Let's all applaud Mark, for his accomplishments and thank him for helping us when we see him.
May we also tell you about John Kalinski of Hawthorne, California originally, who also lives in Torrance now and enthusiastically participates in the Special Olympics program. John is a soccer goalie. He also has been playing softball since 1990,and plays a mean 2nd base ( like Steve Sax did for L.A. Dodgers). John plays in the 2 disabled and non - disabled partners league, where sometimes the Special Olympics Athlete will outshine the non disabled competitor. This wonderful athlete played in the 200 track and field events and placed 3rd in doubles tennis at the UCLA events.
When he was asked about the speed which they serve, Phil Duthie of the Torrance Parks and Recreation Department with a mischievous grin on his face told us in all candor, that 10 years ago when these Special Olympics athletes began playing Tennis, none of them could serve overhand, now about 2 of the athletes serve overhand, ( look out Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, your number 1 cede (ranking) may be in jeopardy with John, but John also excels in soccer, softball, basketball, track, and cycling as well as tennis.
With the Olympics about to begin this month in Australia we thought you should also know about two very special Olympians that we think of very highly right here in the South Bay portion of California (Torrance).
We'd like to thank Phil Duthie for his assistance in allowing us to meet with these two Special Olympians, and making his team a team for all of us to be proud of as Americans. THANK YOU PHIL.
For further information on Special Olympics: Call the Southern California Special Olympics (310)215-8380.