By Bobby Ellis
bobby.ellis@education.ky.gov

It’s always fun to photograph sports. Working for the Kentucky Department of Education, my daily routine doesn’t often involve athletics, but thanks to the Bill Roby Track and Field Games at the Kentucky School for the Blind, I got an opportunity to spend time with some young athletes. 

Students from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee ran and jumped their way to glory during the event. 

Parents and teachers cheered as the children competed in events such as the 30-meter race, long jump and wheelchair race. 

“It’s a beautiful day, and the kids are having fun,” said Tristan Parsons, the interim principal of the school. “Everyone seems to be having a great time.” 

It was a lot of fun to watch the competition and even more enjoyable to see how excited they were when they got their medals. 

Brenten Franzell, a second-grade student from Jefferson County Public School, competes in the 30-meter race during the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Brenten Franzell, a 2nd-grade student from Jefferson County Public Schools, competes in the 30-meter race during the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016

Bill Roby Track and Field Games medals hang from the announcer's table. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2106

Bill Roby Track and Field Games medals hang from the announcer’s table.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2106

Hudson Lovett, a second grader at Kentucky School for the Blind, holds up his medals he won in the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Hudson Lovett, a 2nd-grader at Kentucky School for the Blind, holds up the medals he won in the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016

Kyle Sochia, a teacher at Kentucky School for the Blind, helps Colton Darnell, a third-grader at Kentucky School for the Blind, with his medal after his race. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Kyle Sochia, a teacher at Kentucky School for the Blind, helps Colton Darnell, a 3rd-grader at the school, with his medal after his race.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016

Landon Smith, a fourth-grader at the Kentucky School for the Blind, competes in the long-jump competition at the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Landon Smith, a 4th-grader at the Kentucky School for the Blind, competes in the long jump competition at the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016

Eric Holden, a fourth-grader at Kentucky School for the Blind, competes in the long-jump. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Eric Holden, a 4th-grader at Kentucky School for the Blind, competes in the long jump.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016

Sophia Thompson, center, runs in the 30 meter race at the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games at the Kentucky School for the Blind. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Sophia Thompson, center, runs in the 30-meter race at the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games at the Kentucky School for the Blind.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016

Peyton Peskoe competes in the long-jump at the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games. Photo by Bobby Ellis; Oct. 12, 2016

Peyton Peskoe competes in the long jump at the 2016 Bill Roby Track and Field Games.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Oct. 12, 2016