State Special Olympics finish 2011-2012 basketball season in Tuscarawas County
By Teri Stein
April 2, 2012
608
Excited Special Olympians from all over the state of Ohio wrapped up their 2011-2012 basketball season in Tuscarawas County this year. Twenty-six teams in eight divisions from around the state played for gold on Friday and Saturday March 30-31. Games were hosted at Strasburg City Schools, Dover Middle School, New Philadelphia High School and Kent State University Tuscarawas.
An additional 350 athletes competed in the individual skills competition at Claymont High School March 31. Each individual had to attend an area or sectional qualifier to reach the State competition.
The opening ceremonies were held on Friday evening at Strasburg High School. The Dover Knights of Columbus presented the nations colors and New Philadelphia High School senior Jessica Ligmanowski sang the National Anthem. Welcoming the athletes were Natalie Lupi, superintendent of the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Commissioner Kerry Metzger; Bob Rickert, the executive director Special Olympics Ohio; and Hobart and Sue Kloc, SOO Area Nine co-directors. Dave Roth, who was introduced as the honorary coach of the games by Marty Allen, SOO program director and Carol Bramschreiber, assistant program director, officially opened the games.
The tournament is the second largest State Special Olympics event next to the State summer games, but it is the most competitive State event. Every three to four years we host the state, said Linda Hobart, Special Olympics Area Nine co-director. The state rotates the finals between us, Columbus and Bowling Green. Im proud to live in this community because of the success of these tournaments.
William Chambers, the only athlete from Tuscarawas County to compete at State this year, earned a fourth place in his division in individual skills. The individual skills competition includes dribbling, wall pass, and shooting. Chambers said he had fun at the event and was happy that his family was there to support him.
The local team, the Tuscarawas County Rockets, fell short by only four points in the East Section final against Franklin County Upper Arlington, and missed the State competition by only one game.
One of the athletes competing, Loretta Smith of the Ashtabula County Lakers, exemplified the heart and soul of those individuals honored to compete at the state level. Smith, who is blind, has been involved in Special Olympics for approximately 20 years in such sports as track, swimming, bowling, softball, and, of course, individual skills basketball. But does she have a favorite sport? Apparently not. Im not picky, said Smith when asked for her favorite activity.
It was obvious Smith was having a wonderful time at the event, but she saved her biggest smile for the podium when she received her fifth-place award.
She does everything by sound, said her coach, Fred Townsend, who uses Smiths cane to tap on the rim of the basket or the spot on the wall where Smith needs to make a toss. Smith is fearless, listening for the bounce of the ball so she can retrieve it herself. Shes good at dribbling the ball too, added Townsend.
Eight other athletes competed in individual skills for the Ashtabula team. Townsend said more than 240 individuals in their county compete in Special Olympics each year.
It was a very successful weekend. I only heard good things about how well things ran and were organized, said Hobart. The tournament was also a boost to the area economy, with the athletes and their coaches filling up area hotels and restaurants.
Our own local Special Olympics program is due to the great support of this community and most of all, our local SO advisory committee of myself, Sue Kloc, Pat Antonelli, Bob Glasgow, Carolyn Raderchak, Shelly and Mark Clemence, and Jane Schreiver, said Hobart.
I cant tell you how supportive our school districts are all through the season, Hobart added. The schools involved in supporting the Special Olympics program this year were Claymont, New Philadelphia, Dover, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Garaway, Strasburg, Kent State University Tuscarawas and the New Philadelphia First Baptist Church.
