Pennsylvania Special Olympics recently held its 47th Annual State Winter Games at Seven Springs Resort.
In attendance were more than 275 athletes, 400 coaches, and 500 volunteers from all 9 state regions and 25 county programs.
A three-day competition saw athletes compete in preliminary and final rounds in Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing.
Representing the Susquehanna Valley Region were Lycoming County athletes Kevin Boyles, Sean Brink, Nicholas Johnson, Maria Marinucci, Brendan Rooker, Paul Smith, and Jimmy Steinruck, and Columbia-Montour athlete Troy Jackson.
All athletes competed in Snowshoeing and participated in races ranging from the 25 Meter Race to the 800 Meter Race. Attending and supporting the athletes as coaches and volunteers were Gerald Anderson, Tim Boyles, Angie Jackson, Melissa Johnson, Rick Johnson, Patty Loner, Lester Loner, and Tracy Rooker.
Returning home with their awards and many new memories were Boyles, with two gold medals, one silver medal, and a 4th place ribbon, while Brink also received one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal and a 4th place ribbon. Johnson took home one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, while Marinucci performed well, bringing home one gold medal and three bronze medals. Rooker joined the group, bringing home 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze medals, along with a 5th-place ribbon. Smith stepped it up and came home with 3 gold medals and one silver and one bronze medal, with Steinruck coming home with one gold, 3 silvers, and a 4th place ribbon. Jackson rounded out the team, finishing with one gold and silver medals and 2 bronze medals.
Lycoming County Special Olympics is a sports training and competition program for individuals with intellectual disabilities aged 8 and older. Offering 12 different individual and team sports annually, Lycoming County currently serves about 103 athletes and Unified partners who participated in more than 40 local, invitational, regional, and state competitions during the past year. Anyone interested in learning more about Special Olympics and becoming involved as an athlete or volunteer should visit specialolympicspa.org.
