Chad Arnett was all smiles as he carried the Special Olympics torch up Main Street in Seal Beach on Friday.
The 33-year-old Seal Beach resident was accompanied on his run by some family members. About 30 came from across the state to watch him compete along with about 1,100 others in the 2013 Summer Games held Saturday and Sunday on the Cal State Long Beach campus. Other family members and friends cheered him on from the edges of Main Street sidewalks and curbs.
“Go Chad!” his mother Cyndy Logsdon of Seal Beach cheered while others joined in a supportive chorus.
Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich and other members of the department including Lt. Bob Mullins also joined Arnett on his run. The start of the games on Saturday would conclude the Law Enforcement Torch Run’s two-week relay escorting the Flame of Hope across Southern California.
“They raise so much money for the Special Olympics all over the nation,” Cyndy Logsdon said. “They are just wonderful to Chad here in Seal Beach.”
Arnett, who does maintenance work for the city of Seal Beach at such locations as the McGaugh School gymnasium and Zoeter Field, is also a volunteer for the Seal Beach Police Department. On Monday, he proudly showed off his badge that he earned by putting in more than 250 volunteer hours.
His mother said Arnett, who completed 30 hours of field exercises and classroom training to become an official volunteer, said “he loves the police,” whom he helps out with by performing various tasks such as stocking equipment.
From the cheers and support the local police showed Arnett on his run, the feeling seems mutual.
Logsdon said Sgt. Steve Bowles was a key figure in taking Arnett under his wing and got him involved in activities like the Polar Plunge, that also raised money for the Special Olympics. Arnett is also a certified member of the city’s CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team).
It was a big weekend for Arnett, who has autism and has competed in numerous Special Olympics and in various sports from basketball to tennis and track. He went on to win a gold medal in the 25-yard freestyle swimming event.
He will add it to his myriad of medals he has in his Seal Beach apartment.
“It’s fun,” Arnett said of his involvement with the Special Olympics and sports in general. He was also excited for another reason about this year’s games.
“My girlfriend Nicole Gertner, she did basketball,” he said. “She lives in Torrance and this is her first time being in the games.”
The games brought together athletes from all over the country to compete and they all stayed together dormitory style, mingled and had fun.
Arnett is a big fan of all professional sports, especially basketball.
“I like Kobe (Bryant),” he said. “I have his autograph. Also Rafer Johnson’s.”
Johnson, who won a gold medal in the decathlon in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome is a major volunteer for the Special Olympics.
This week Arnett and his family were also headed to see the Angels play the Yankees in a sold out game to wrap up a whirlwind of events that have kept Arnett smiling all week.
For the future, he is looking forward to next year’s Special Olympics Summer Games that will be held at USC. They will be a warm up for the Special Olympic World Games to be held in Los Angeles in 2015.
Arnett plans to compete and follow the advice he has for other athletes.
“Just have fun and do your best,” he said.
