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More than 40 athletes and unified partners from Tuscarawas County Special Olympics participated recently in the state Winter Games at The Ohio State University in Columbus. The event, hosted by Special Olympics Ohio, drew thousands of athletes from around the state who competed in team basketball, skills basketball, swimming and competitive cheerleading.
The Tuscarawas County Special Olympics team, known as the Rockets, competed in all four sports, according to a community announcement.
The athletes trained since October in preparation for the Winter Games. For the first time, the Rockets fielded four basketball teams in different divisions, including School Age Division 1, Unified Division and Divisions 4 and 5.
A notable achievement was the Unified Team's regional championship victory over Portage County, which qualified them for the state competition. The team won the gold medal at the Winter Games, finishing the season with a 10-1 record. Key players included J'Marea Sterns, Keilan Patterson, Dorian Wilson and Matthew Medley, who were guided by coaches Denise McGinnis and Sarah McVey.
The School Age team also performed well, ending the season with a 4-5 record and earning a bronze medal. Team members included Nathan Davies, Julius Emery, Leah Hughes, Nevaeh Jeffries, Addi Miller, Ember Miller, Frankie Poorman, Matthew Toole, Shaun Washington and Lyla Witts. Coaches Angie Hall, Heidi Miller and Lexi Miller led the team.
Rockets athletes also excelled individually in skills basketball. Robert Miller and Larry Smitley won gold medals, while Chelsea Lefler earned a silver medal.
The Rockets Competitive Cheer Squad continued its success by winning a fifth consecutive state championship gold medal in the Mount & Tumble Division, according to the announcement.
The squad performed a routine set to Lady Gaga's music, paired with an original cheer and chant. Team members included Dolly Alsept, Kaylee Arthurs, Heather Baker, Emily Erwin, Cindy Franklin, Lexi Lacheta, Addi Miller, Alexis Partridge, Rebekah Rothel, Stacey Shroyer and Cassie Tedrick. The coaching staff included Kat Arthurs, Julie Erwin, Rhonda Lacheta and Heidi Miller.
Rockets Swim Team athletes also earned several awards. Jackson Gambs won two silver medals in the 25-meter and 50-meter freestyle races. Katie Ross earned a silver medal in the 25-meter freestyle and a bronze in the 25-meter backstroke.
Emma Ward, Kody Miller and Cassie Wright finished in the top five in their events, with the unified relay team of Ryder Margo, Stephen Meredith, Kody Miller and Cassie Wright performing well in a competitive field. The swim team was coached by Dee Dee Weber, with assistance from Lois Wright.
A gesture that helped unite the delegation came from Nate Samples, who donated shirts to the Tuscarawas County Special Olympics group. Samples is a key figure in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Ohio.
In another moment of recognition, Rachael Russell, the current Special Olympics Ohio and Ohio American Legion Female Athlete of the Year, was chosen to carry the Lantern during the Opening Ceremonies.
As the Rockets transition to their spring sports season, athletes will train in bocce, bowling, powerlifting, track and volleyball. Special Olympics is open to anyone ages 8 and up with an intellectual disability, offering year-round sports training programs at no cost.
For more information about joining the Rockets, email Local Coordinator Richelle Lefler at [email protected].
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County Special Olympics's Rockets shine at Ohio Winter Games
Continue reading...
The Tuscarawas County Special Olympics team, known as the Rockets, competed in all four sports, according to a community announcement.
You must be registered for see images attach
Basketball teams earn medals
The athletes trained since October in preparation for the Winter Games. For the first time, the Rockets fielded four basketball teams in different divisions, including School Age Division 1, Unified Division and Divisions 4 and 5.
A notable achievement was the Unified Team's regional championship victory over Portage County, which qualified them for the state competition. The team won the gold medal at the Winter Games, finishing the season with a 10-1 record. Key players included J'Marea Sterns, Keilan Patterson, Dorian Wilson and Matthew Medley, who were guided by coaches Denise McGinnis and Sarah McVey.
The School Age team also performed well, ending the season with a 4-5 record and earning a bronze medal. Team members included Nathan Davies, Julius Emery, Leah Hughes, Nevaeh Jeffries, Addi Miller, Ember Miller, Frankie Poorman, Matthew Toole, Shaun Washington and Lyla Witts. Coaches Angie Hall, Heidi Miller and Lexi Miller led the team.
Rockets athletes also excelled individually in skills basketball. Robert Miller and Larry Smitley won gold medals, while Chelsea Lefler earned a silver medal.
You must be registered for see images attach
Cheer squad defends championship
The Rockets Competitive Cheer Squad continued its success by winning a fifth consecutive state championship gold medal in the Mount & Tumble Division, according to the announcement.
The squad performed a routine set to Lady Gaga's music, paired with an original cheer and chant. Team members included Dolly Alsept, Kaylee Arthurs, Heather Baker, Emily Erwin, Cindy Franklin, Lexi Lacheta, Addi Miller, Alexis Partridge, Rebekah Rothel, Stacey Shroyer and Cassie Tedrick. The coaching staff included Kat Arthurs, Julie Erwin, Rhonda Lacheta and Heidi Miller.
You must be registered for see images attach
Accomplishments in swim meets
Rockets Swim Team athletes also earned several awards. Jackson Gambs won two silver medals in the 25-meter and 50-meter freestyle races. Katie Ross earned a silver medal in the 25-meter freestyle and a bronze in the 25-meter backstroke.
Emma Ward, Kody Miller and Cassie Wright finished in the top five in their events, with the unified relay team of Ryder Margo, Stephen Meredith, Kody Miller and Cassie Wright performing well in a competitive field. The swim team was coached by Dee Dee Weber, with assistance from Lois Wright.
Donated shirts add to unity
A gesture that helped unite the delegation came from Nate Samples, who donated shirts to the Tuscarawas County Special Olympics group. Samples is a key figure in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Ohio.
You must be registered for see images attach
In another moment of recognition, Rachael Russell, the current Special Olympics Ohio and Ohio American Legion Female Athlete of the Year, was chosen to carry the Lantern during the Opening Ceremonies.
As the Rockets transition to their spring sports season, athletes will train in bocce, bowling, powerlifting, track and volleyball. Special Olympics is open to anyone ages 8 and up with an intellectual disability, offering year-round sports training programs at no cost.
For more information about joining the Rockets, email Local Coordinator Richelle Lefler at [email protected].
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County Special Olympics's Rockets shine at Ohio Winter Games
Continue reading...
