By Barrett Newkirk
ELWOOD — Many of the people waiting for autographs had known Mary Beth Dunnichay all of her life, but it was their first time meeting an Olympian.
Hundreds of people, including the Beijing-bound diver’s neighbors, friends and former teachers, came to Callaway Park on Sunday to honor Madison County’s first Olympic athlete.
“It’s awesome to have the community all here and all this support,” said Dunnichay while signing her name in metallic ink to T-shirts and photographs.
Asked about the dismissed complaint that threatened her Olympic berth, she simply said, “It’s a weight off our shoulders.”
Haley Ishimatsu, Dunnichay’s partner for the 10-meter synchronized diving competition, was also honored.
Her father, Mark Ishimatsu, said the two 15-year-old girls are handling the pressure and attention of being world-class athletes with great maturity.
“I look back at when I was 15, and I didn’t have the wherewithal to do what they do,” he said.
Mary Beth’s father, Ned Dunnichay, agreed.
“They’re like pros,” he said,” very humble.”
Both families were glad to have the controversy of the previous two days behind them. Laura Wilkinson, another U.S. diver, filed a complaint contesting the process that put Dunnichay and Ishimatsu on the team. The American Arbitration Association dismissed the claim Saturday.
After the girls walked onto the grandstand while a four-piece band played the Olympic anthem, state Rep. Terri Austin gave them an Indiana state flag signed by her, state Sen. Tim Lanane, Gov. Mitch Daniels and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman. The flag is meant to travel with the girls to Beijing next month.
Elwood Mayor Merrill Taylor named Ishimatsu an honorary citizen of the city. Ishimatsu, a native of California who now lives and trains in Indianapolis, will also compete in the individual 10-meter platform competition. She told the crowd Sunday, “I just can’t wait to bring back the medals.”
Taylor and Madison County Commissioner Paul Wilson presented plaques to the girls. Taylor announced that the next month would be known as Mary Beth Dunnichay Days in Elwood.
Heather Gordon, Elwood, said that all the recognition is going to a well-deserving young woman. She was in the autograph line with her two young daughters, both of whom Mary Beth once baby-sat.
“They both adore Mary Beth,” Gordon said. “It’s nice to have a role model for the kids. Sometimes that’s hard to find in a small town.”
Elwood resident Tom Cassidy, a longtime friend of the Dunnichay family, waited in line for Mary Beth to sign an Olympic flag. He planned to hang it on his front porch not far from the funeral home operated by the Dunnichays.
Across the city, many people have already placed flags and congratulatory yard signs in front of their homes.
“It’s a great day for Elwood and the state of Indiana,” Cassidy said. “Win, lose or draw, she will represent us well.”
