Over 2500 athletes recently participated in the 46th Indiana Special Olympics Summer Games. The annual State Games began Friday, June 12 and concluded Sunday, June 14. Teams from throughout the state gathered with 1,100 coaches and chaperones, 1,200 event volunteers and 3,000 spectators and families to help kick off the games that included aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, power lifting, track and field and volleyball at Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and other host sites. In addition to three days of competition, there was Olympic-style ceremonies, the Torch Run, an Olympic Tent Town and a Health Festival.

The opening ceremonies Friday evening filled more than half of the Hulman Center Field House on the ISU campus with athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and special guests. The athletes wearing colorful T-shirts matching their county regions were enthusiastic with music playing while entering the arena and greeted by Special Olympics officials, ISU athletes and cheerleaders and law enforcement.  Rich Weibur’s Bicycle Stunt Show and Champions Forever, a unicycle group from South Dakota performed for the crowd.

Local Results are below:

Bowling (Various Divisions)

• Tony Thompson                            1st
• Ruby French/ Mary Kay Bess          3rd
• Sandy Bibler/ Robert Svinarich       3rd
• Jim Nuell / Barb Mikesell                4th

Bocce (Various Divisions)

Unified Partner Doubles

• John Bonitati / James Mornout       1st
• Ken McPeak / Scott Frush              3rd

Traditional Teams

• Norman McPeak/Wayne Momeyer/Jerry Davis/Kevin McPeak    1st
• James Mornout/Scott Frush/Josie Wood/John Gullett                2nd
• Martha Sullivan/Kathy Kumfer/Liz Wabol/Gale Vanator            3rd
• Marshall Werner/Ron Taylor/Crystal Redman/John Lane           4th

Traditional Doubles

• Jerry Davis/Kevin McPeak                     2nd
• Norman McPeak/Wayne Momeyer         3rd
• Crystal Redman/John Lane                    4th
• Ron Taylor/Marshall Werner                  4th
• Martha Sullivan/Kathy Kumfer               4th

Track (Various Divisions)

400m Walk

• Michelle Brubaker           6th

Running Long Jump

• Anthony Degaetano        8th

50m Unassisted Walk

• Betsy Everett                  1st

4 X 100 Relay

• Amy Philson, Matt Bammel, Antonio Drummond , Anthony Degaetano    6th

10m Walk

• Terri Garrard                  2nd

10m Wheel Chair

• Shannon Middaugh        1st

25m Walk

• Betsy Everett                 1st
• Terri Garrard                 2nd

25m Wheel Chair

• Shannon Middaugh        1st

50m Dash

• Sandy Hunter            2nd
• Lori Kiefer                 3rd
• Joe Bradley                3rd

Soft Ball Throw

• Betsy Everett                  1st
• Sandy Hunter                 3rd
• Lori Kiefer                      3rd
• Joe Bradley                     3rd
• Terri Garrard                  3rd
• Shannon Middaugh        4th
• Michelle Brubaker          6th

100m Dash

• Anthony Degaetano        2nd
• Matt Bammel                  3rd
• Antonio Drummond        4th
• Amy Philson                    6th
• Mini Jav
• Amy Philson                    1st
• Antonio Drummond        5th
• Matt Bammel                   7th

Standing Long Jump

• Sandy Hunter                  1st
• Joe Bradley                      2nd
• Lori Kiefer                       6th

Becky Walls, director for Special Olympics Indiana Kosciusko County stated that 35 county athletes participated in the games this year along with 19 volunteers and coaches. Becky also wanted to thank all the coaches and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. Joe Baranowski, veteran Bocce coach stated that the weather was hot but the athletes kept their cool winning a number of medals.

Flag football and corn toss will be starting in July for Special Olympics in Kosciusko County.
Special Olympics Indiana has programs that serve more than 11,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. On average, there are eight Special Olympics events going on somewhere in Indiana everyday, made possible by a network of nearly 10,000 volunteers.