Karen Tellinghuisen Scores

Jamestown and area individuals, lodges, service clubs, fire departments, etc., that contributed $6262.45 to send Karen Tellinghuisen of Falconer to the World Olympics for the Deaf, have realized a return in satisfaction on their investments.

Yesterday at Bucharest, Romania, Karen won her event, the women’s javelin and will be coming home with a gold medal, the first ever in this area by anyone in any kind of olympic games. Karen’s winning toss was 127 feet 3 inches. She had a good margin over Monika Laux of West Germany in the final. Monika’s distance was just two feet short of Karen, 125 feet 3 inches.

“I’m excited and proud,” Karen’s father told The Post-Journal this morning when contacted at his home, 20 Davis Avenue in Falconer. “I can’t get over the wonderful response to the campaign for funds to send Karen with the American team received from area people,” he added. “This has a far greater meaning than many of those generous people who helped her realize,” he continued. “I mean it shows the world what America can do in the way of programs for the handicapped.”

Karen’s mother, Rachel, is with her in Bucharest. When the games end this week, Karen will remain with the United States team, which will be on tour to Spain and Morocco from where it will fly back to the United States. Mrs. Tellinghuisen is scheduled to go to a vacation site on the Black Sea from where she will also start for home.

Karen, 18, has been a member of the St. Mary’s School for the Deaf at Buffalo most of her life. She was born deaf. She became interested in track and field in general a few years ago but when she showed an exceptional talent in the javelin, she was urged by her trainer, Lou Pennella, to concentrate on that event. Pennella is athletic director at the school.

“I just hope they’ll be proud of me,” Karen told an interpreter in speaking of her sponsors during a Lions Club dinner for her and the fund at Falconer.

Well, Karen, you’ve done it. Jamestown, Falconer and this entire area are very proud of you. There are 1,834 entered in the Olympics and an unofficial report said approximately 18 were in the javelin eliminations.