Longboat Key Kids Olympics

From left, Ronald Spoto, Kayla Taylor, Robbie Smith, Josh McKinney, Nathan Marshall, Kirra Babcock, Hannah McKinney and Owen Marshall.

KAREN O’DOWD
Contributing Writer
odowd@lbknews.com

This story was handwritten and submitted to me by Kayla Taylor, 16, daughter of a longtime La Playa visiting family. Taylor and the other youth guests organized a Kids Olympics Competition on their own — no parents involved, except for the applause and encouragement!

The Longboat Key Kids Olympics took place at La Playa Condos last week and included participants from Canada, Ireland, Georgia, Texas and Florida. The competition was organized and directed by Kayla Taylor, 16, and Ronald Spoto, 10, and consisted of many events such as the beach dash, obstacle course and hurdles. The participants ranged from ages 5 through 11. All the contestants raced hard, but a few dominated and won awards.

Twins were no rare sight at the event this year, as there were three sets of twins participating. One pair, Ethan and Evan Williams, 11, were neck and neck for first place. Ethan barely beat his brother to become the champion of the older division.

The girls created some exciting competition as well, with Kirra Babcock, 9, and Hannah McKinney, 11, the fastest ones in the beach dash.

Let’s not forget our Junior Champion Owen Marshall, 7, who dominated his age group. Last but not least, the winner of the Spirit Award went to Ronnie Smith, 5, the youngest participant, who never gave up and always tried his hardest.

Needless to say, all the participants did well and had a blast. There will be another Kids Olympics held in July of next year at La Playa.

Kayla Taylor goes to King High School in Tampa and is going to be a junior. She and her family have been visiting La Playa since she was a few weeks old.