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Special Olympics Delaware hosts 49th annual Summer Games

Displaying their medals and spirit from the track & field competitions are the Sussex Riptides team. In back are (l-r) Reed Bellinger, Shawn Beggs, coach Jim Watson, DeShawn Synce, Stephen Douglas, Alan Burke, Holly Wood, Matthew Motti, Antonio Bowe, Micheal Bowe, Hannah McNiece, Dominic Beverly, Abigail Motti, Sally Lugusasi and Sasha Hudson. In front are Brendon Waller, Conner Watson, Michael Hartzell and coach Robert Bailey. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 17, 2019

The 49th annual Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games were held June 14-15, at the University of Delaware. It is the largest competition held by Special Olympics Delaware.

More than 700 athletes and 100 unified partners competed in tennis, bocce, powerlifting, softball, swimming, tennis and track & field along with a Motor Activity Training Program over the two days of competition. More than 215 coaches and team volunteers took part in the event, where 1,000 volunteers gave of their time and spirit to make the weekend fun and run smoothly.

The opening ceremony was held Friday in the Bob Carpenter Center, emceed by the Voice of the Blue Hens, Scott Klatzkin. The event featured a parade of athletes, indoor fireworks, special guests and presentations. The ceremony culminated with the lighting of the cauldron by 2019 Outstanding Athlete Kyle Stevenson.

The day resumed with fun and educational activities for all athletes and unified partners. On Saturday, the competition continued along with free exams and information from Healthy Athletes, which includes Opening Eyes, Special Smiles Healthy Hearing and Fit Feet.

It was the 25th year as sponsor for the DuPont Company.

 

Displaying their medals and spirit from the track & field competitions are the Sussex Riptides team. In back are (l-r) Reed Bellinger, Shawn Beggs, coach Jim Watson, DeShawn Synce, Stephen Douglas, Alan Burke, Holly Wood, Matthew Motti, Antonio Bowe, Micheal Bowe, Hannah McNiece, Dominic Beverly, Abigail Motti, Sally Lugusasi and Sasha Hudson. In front are Brendon Waller, Conner Watson, Michael Hartzell and coach Robert Bailey. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Showing their medals proudly from the 4-by-50 unified free relay are unified partner Wyatt Simpler, athletes Donna Walton and Scott Walker and unified partner Tyler Burger from the Sussex Riptides.
Keeping an eye on his competition Julie Gibbons, right, from the Wilmington Wizards is Keith Rigg of the MOT Tigers.
Ronni Jacob, right, from the Sussex Riptide gets help from volunteer Cathy Arancio in the 15-meter assisted race.
Jillian Calanna from the Sussex Riptide slams a backhand in the tennis skills competition.
Sussex Riptide athlete Donald Jefferson competes in the tennis skills competition.
Becky Longo of the Wilmington Wizards powers a two-handed shot in her match with Zachary Worthington of the Kent Wildcats.
Volunteer Trish Seeman tosses as Sussex Riptide’s Timothy MaGee, right, hits toward the targets in the skill competition.
Robin Todd throws his turn in the bocce competition.
James Hall of the Riptides shows his unique style in throwing the ball in the bocce competition.
Emmanuel Hill puts some spin on the ball as he throws in the bocce competition.
Michele Ogden of the MOT Tigers throws the ball in the bocce competition.
Steven Harris of the Kent Wildcats gets excited as he prepares to bat against the Networks in the softball competition.
Zahar Alleyne of Networks gets the ball in quickly on a Kent Wildcats hit.
Wilmington Wizards athlete Ryan Stevens, left, gets an assist in the bocce competition from volunteer Edward Stevens.
RJ Bragg, center, receives his 25-meter gold medal from Division of Probation and Parole’s Courtney McEntee as unified partner Wyatt Simpler looks on.
Sussex Riptide athletes Carol Bak, left, and Wendy Revels await their turn to throw in the bocce competition.
Taking a break from their events are (l-r) Connor Hartman, Zach Simpler, Ginger Shaud, RJ Bragg and Tyler Burger.

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