ST. GEORGE — Teams and individuals braved the semi-cold water of the St. George City Pool Saturday, diving and belly-flopping to raise money for Special Olympics Utah.
The annual Polar Plunge drew over one hundred people to the pool at 250 E. 700 South St. to watch St. George Police officers Jeremy Needles and Lona Trombley leap into the 60-degree water in uniform. They were followed by many others, including the St. George Police SWAT Team, the Fraternal Order of Police, Wal-Mart employees, Red Rock Canyon School staff, the “Queen of the Seas” as portrayed by Suzanne Johnson, several Special Olympics athletes, and St. George News senior reporter Mori Kessler.
Needles and Trombley, along with Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher were the organizers of this year’s event.
The mood surrounding the pool was festive as many came out to watch their favorites jump into the cold-ish water. And jump they did. Participants flipped, belly-flopped, performed cannonballs and jackknives. Donald Trump — otherwise known as Bill Mehn of the Red Rock Canyon School — dove in holding his wig tightly to his head.
As of this morning, over $2500 had been raised on the Polar Plunge website. Final tallies were not available at press time.
The Polar Plunge is an annual Special Olympics fundraising event where warm-hearted plungers can support Special Olympics Utah athletes. Individuals, students, Special Olympics Utah athletes, community members and corporate groups are all invited to participate.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
St. George News senior reporter Mori Kessler flies through the air on his way to a perfect belly flop Saturday in this year's Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Bill Mehn of Red Rock Canyon School dressed as Donald Trump, contemplates his jump before the event Saturday at the St. George City Pool, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
St. George News senior reporter Mori Kessler leaps into the pool Saturday at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
St. George Police officer Jeremy Needles talks with participants Saturday at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
St. George Police officers Jeremy Needles and Lona Trombley leap into the pool with a Special Olympian Saturday at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
The "Queen of the Seas," also known as Suzanne Johnson, waves to her subjects before leaping into the pool Saturday at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
The St. George Police Swat Team leaps into the water Saturday at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Bill Mehn, in the guise of Donald Trump, holds his wig and jumps into the pool Saturday at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. St. George, Utah, March 5, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"I wrote my first word when I was very young. I enjoyed this so much I decided to write many more words."
A native of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ric was bitten by the news bug as a staff writer and associate editor of the Palisades High School Tideline. After school he entered the media as a radio personality, both playing music and reporting news. Ric moved to St. George in the 1980s and was the morning personality on all three major AM stations in town. An avid amateur radio operator, Ric is looking for a good band to play in, as he plays keyboards, bass and guitar. Ric, who currently is working on developing a lifestyle that doesn't require his presence, lives in the center of St. George with his partner Terri, two snoring dogs and too many neurotic cats.