FPS staff report
July 3, 2012
 Ten Carroll County Special Olympics athletes won honors in their various events following a recent trip to the 2012 State Special Olympics Ohio State summer games.
Also in attendance were coaches and chaperones: Tomi Moore, Renee Sprague, Jamie Phillips, Dan Royer, Anna Oyer and George Scott.
According to Moore, the local coordinator, the athletes participated in the 43rd annual state Special Olympics after successfully competing in local and area competitions. Chosen to represent Carroll County at this event, they were among over 2,700 participants involved in the weekend program held at Ohio State University.
Moore said the summer games program included eleven sports, movies, recreational clinics and the colorful opening ceremonies. Athletes and chaperons were housed in Ohio State University dormitories (Mack Hall) and were provided six meals through the University’s Union services.
Opening ceremonies started off the weekend of Friday evening, June 22, at Jesse Owens Track and Field stadium. The symbolic lighting of the Olympic Flame of Hope officially opened the games and was followed by a dance and fair provided by hundreds of volunteers.
Special Olympics offers year-round training and competition in 23 winter and summer Olympic-type sports to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The Special Olympics Ohio program is reaching more than 17,000 athletes, Moore said. Presently there are 102 Special Olympics Athletes from Carroll County.
Additional volunteers are always welcome to continue to strengthen the program and it is hoped that in 2013, Carroll County Special Olympics program will be better than ever before, Moore said.
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Carroll County Special Olympics program should contact Tomi Moore at 330-627-4866, ext. 25 or mail a check to Carroll County Special Olympics, PO Box 98, Carrollton, OH 44615.
PHOTO: Nine of the ten Carroll County Special Olympics athletes who won awards in the various events at the summer games are shown above. From left are D. J. Anno, gold medal in bowling; Matt Crough, bronze medal in bowling; Lexi Swearingen, gold medal in softball throw and 4th place in the 100M dash; Jenny Moore, silver medal in the 50M dash and 4th place in the softball throw; John Evans, silver medal in bowling, and Enrique Gonzalas, bronze medal in mini javelin and 5th place in the 100M dash.
Standing behind (from left) are Gene Fankhauser, silver medal in bowling; Aaron Scott, silver medal in mini javelin and silver medal in the 50M dash, and Eric Prowe, gold medal in the softball throw and 5th place in the 100M dash. Frank Dickey, who was absent when the photo was taken, received a silver medal in bowling. |
