Special Olympians do well in fall sports competitions
November 11, 2016
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The fall has been a busy time for Tuscarawas County Special Olympics sports. Both the bowling and aquatics teams fared well in recent competitions held in Steubenville and Columbus.
The bowling team is coached by Heather Menefee and Mary Jo Hamma while the aquatics team is led by Stacy Harlan, Kristen Meeks and Liz Bender.
The State Bowling Tournament was held at Sawmill Lanes in Columbus on Oct. 23. More than 1,000 bowlers from across the state competed in the event. The Tuscarawas County bowlers brought home several medals.
Three teams brought home gold medals. The traditional team of Dolly Alsept, Richard Anderson, Chris Bayne and Terry Snyder won gold in Division 61. The traditional team of Chuck Heavilin, Scott Morrison, Lonnie Thornton and Alex Tournay won gold in Division 62. The unified team of Bob Glasgow, Travis Glasgow, Janel Travis and Shane York won gold in Division 67.
Two teams brought home silver medals. The unified team of Randy Gordon, William Gordon, Natalie Miller and Adam Wayt won silver in Division 65. The unified team of Jim Mann, Cody Phelps, Russell Shiar and Nathaniel Wells won silver in Division 67.
One team brought home bronze medals. The unified team of Diana DeMonte, Coney DiGenova, Conner DiGenova and Katie Hootman won bronze in Division 66. The pair of Coney and Conner DiGenova had previously won top pin count honors at the Area 9 Bowling Tournament held in September.
Two teams brought home fourth and fifth place ribbons. The unified team of Dan Jenkins, Chandler McConnell, Ashley Metzcar and Rachel Russell won fourth place in Division 67. The unified team of Erickson Farnsworth, Mark Farnsworth, Steve Hazelip and Kevin Huston won fifth place in Division 65.
The newly organized aquatics team participated in the Area 9 Swim Meet on Nov. 5. The meet was held at Steubenville Big Red High School. The Tuscarawas County swimmers brought home many personal records and medals.
Cady Harlan won gold in both the 25 meter backstroke and the 50 meter freestyle. Joey Fulton won gold in both the 25 meter freestyle and 50 meter freestyle. Elise Thompson won gold in the 25 meter butterfly and silver in the 50 meter backstroke. Emma Ward won gold in the 25 meter freestyle and silver in the 25 meter backstroke. Chance Iannone won silver in both the 25 meter freestyle and 50 meter freestyle. Anna Randolph won silver in the 25 meter freestyle. Abby Cool won bronze in the 25 meter freestyle.
The 4-by-25 meter freestyle relay of Harlan, Fulton, Thompson and Ward won gold as well.
The swimmers will now prepare to compete at the State Special Olympics Swim Meet that will be held on the campus of The Ohio State University. This meet will be Dec. 3-4 at the Recreational and Physical Activity Center. Approximately 500 swimmers will take part in this event.
Fall bowling began on Aug. 7 and concluded on Oct. 16. Almost 90 athletes participated in the training program this year. The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities paid for the practice site rental at Wabash Lanes in New Philadelphia. Aaron and Candy Shanklin served as hosts.
Aquatics began on Sept. 12. Seven athletes are currently participating in the training program. The Tuscarawas County YMCA is the practice site with aquatics director Stacy Harlan serving as head coach.
Anyone with questions about Tuscarawas County Special Olympics can email Richelle Lefler at tuscarawascountyspecialolympic@gmail.com.
