Athletes Earn 36 Medals at Ohio Special Olympics Summer Games
COLUMBUS–Stark Public Special Olympics (the “Royal Knights”) brought home 36 medals along with 8 ribbons during the June 26-28, 2009 Ohio Special Olympics Summer Games at Ohio State University.
Curt Howard, spokesman for Special Olympics Ohio, said the competitions are the equivalent of the Super Bowl for the thousands of athletes in attendance.
In total, about 2,700 athletes ages 8 and up participated in this year’s Summer Games. The event kicked off with its traditional opening ceremonies, including a parade of athletes and the lighting of the “Flame of Hope,” Friday evening at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
By Sunday afternoon, the Royal Knights had earned through sweat, determination, and lots of hard work, a grand total of 36 medals–14 gold, 11 silver, and 11 bronze–along with 8 ribbons–placing fourth 5 times; placing fifth 2 times; and sixth, once.
The Bowling team knocked down enough pins to bring home a shining bouquet of reminders to their scores: Rachelle Borland (silver), Cameron Broom (gold), Nick Hein (silver), Eli Hershberger (silver), Robert Hershberger (bronze), Branden Mayes (fourth place ribbon), Taylor Moag (silver), and Dustin West (bronze).
The Powerlifting team of Bob Hale and Cory Martin brought home two gold and four silver medals. Bob’s highest bench press was 220 lbs; and his highest deadlift was 310 lbs. Cory’s highest bench press was 200 lbs; and his highest deadlift was 365 lbs.
Star gymnast Katie Hedrick earned five gold medals in uneven bars, balance beam, vaulting, floor exercise, and all-around.
The Tennis doubles team of Megan Biedenbach and Katie Kestner netted gold. Matt Lashley and his unified partner Perri Concialdi also earned the gold. In Tennis Singles, Katie Kestner brought home a bronze; Megan Biedenbach and Matt Lashley earned fourth place ribbons.
In Track, the 4 x 100m relay team of Cory Amatangelo, Collier Burns, Nicholas Doll and Chaz MacLean swept over the finish line with a blistering time of 1:03.3min to earn a bronze.
Cory Amatangelo brought home the gold in the 100m dash (13.2 sec) as well as a bronze in shot put (9.93m).
Chaz MacLean earned gold in the 400m dash (1:02.6min) and silver in shot put (10.36m).
Collier Burns earned a gold in the 100m dash in 17.3 sec and a bronze in the running long jump (2.14m).
Anthony MacLean brought home the gold in the running long jump (1.31m) and earned a fifth place ribbon in the 100m dash (20.0 sec).
Nicholas Doll earned a silver in the shot put (7.20m) and in the 100m dash (19.5 sec) brought home a fifth place ribbon.
Ian Phillips earned a silver in the 100m dash (23.7 sec) and a bronze in the shot put (3.5m).
Joe Gresh earned a bronze in the 100m dash (24.0sec) and brought home a fourth place ribbon in the standing long jump (1.27m).
Ismail Hawari earned a fourth place ribbon in the shot put (3.0m) and a sixth place ribbon in the 100m dash (24.0 sec).
The athletes prepared for the Summer Games for months in advance with the help of their coaches. Bowling coaches: Ben Hershberger, Linda Hershberger, Theresa Mayes. Gymnastics coach: Dani Zuniga-Betscakos. Powerlifting coach: Henry McGhee. Tennis coaches: Jean Berry, Jan Brunecz, Lynne Lashley and Perri Concialdi. Track and Field coaches: Jim Hedrick, Randi Buhecker and Don Compher.
Stark Public Special Olympics (the Royal Knights) returned home to Stark County triumphant and proud with lots of personal stories of achievement and smiles to share.
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[...] from participating in the Special Olympics Summer Games at Columbus . Find out more at our website: Athletes Earn 36 Medals at Ohio Special Olympics Summer Games and Results 2009 Summer [...]