Local Athletes In Indiana Special Olympics Summer Games
Posted
Staff Report-
Terre Haute — More than 2,700 athletes, including 42 from Kosciusko County, participated in the 48th Indiana Special Olympics Summer Games June 9-11 with this year's theme, "You Can."
Athletes and unified partners participated in aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, power lifting, track and field, and volleyball at Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
The event also included Olympic-style ceremonies, a unified torch run, an Olympic tent town and a health fair, where athletes could get free screenings for teeth, eyes, feet, ears, health and well-being, and physical therapy. Athletes who participated in three screenings received a free pair of shoes. Seventeen Kosciusko County athletes came home with new shoes. Many also will get free glasses.
Robin Seitner, unified fitness leader for Kosciusko County, led athletes Amy Philson, Erica Mifflin, Kirk Conrad, Kevin McPeak and Sandy Hunter in the opening ceremonies. All 42 athletes came home with ribbons and medals.
Joe Baranowski, bocce coach, recognized John Ong with the Good Sportsman Award. Win or lose in bocce, Ong always made the effort to shake hands with the opposing team, Baranowski said.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Kosciusko County athletes and coaches will start practicing flag football and corn toss in July at Dewamac Park. They will compete in EKS games in September.
To learn more about Special Olympics, contact Becky Walls at 574-594-2962 or sokcbwalls@aol.com.
