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Special Olympics Summer Games heat up UD

700 athletes compete in two-day event
RJ Franco of the Sussex Riptide makes a stretch volley during the unified doubles competition with his unified partner Andy McGrellis. More than 120 tennis players competed in the skills, singles, doubles and unified doubles competition. DAN COOK PHOTO
Dan Cook
June 12, 2017
Laurie Bainbridge is met at the finish by a volunteer after completing the 100-yard walk competition. Nearly 75 athletes competed in the track & field program. DAN COOK PHOTO
Robert Tingle of the Sussex Riptide rolls the bocce ball with precision during the tough competition. More than 125 athletes in 56 doubles teams competed in the bocce ball event. DAN COOK PHOTO
Kevin Williams of the Sussex Riptide tears it up in the 25-yard freestyle event. DAN COOK PHOTO
Dominating the 25-yard freestyle event were Sussex Riptide team members (l-r) Zach Simple, silver; Tommy Taylor, gold; and Holden Hunter, bronze. DAN COOK PHOTO
Veteran athlete Samantha Roach, center, pulls closer to the finish in the 25-yard freestyle event. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sussex Riptide athlete Reed Bellinger makes a successful attempt at 90 pounds in the second round of the bench press event at the power-lifting venue. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sussex Riptides athlete Zach Simpler takes the silver in the 25-yard freestyle. DAN COOK PHOTO
Connor Watson of the Sussex Riptide is proud of his silver in the 100-yard dash. DAN COOK PHOTO
Tony Bowe of the Sussex Riptide proudly displays his three gold medals and one silver earned in the track & field competition. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sussex Riptide athlete Reggie Miller gets his eyes checked by volunteer Linen Pok at the Opening Eyes tent at Olympic Village. DAN COOK PHOTO
Reggie Miller of the Sussex Riptide picks out his favorite glasses in the Opening Eyes tent in the Olympic Village. DAN COOK PHOTO
Holly Wood demonstrates proper brushing technique at the Special Smiles tent at Olympic Village. DAN COOK PHOTO
Representing the Sussex Family YMCA Riptide are in back (l-r) Samantha Roach, Danny Berg, coach Kris Jarecki, Zach Simpler and Donna Walton. In front are Elizabeth Marie Avelleyra and Tommy Taylor. DAN COOK PHOTO
Richard Swank of the Wilmington Wizards is cheered by the crowd in the 100-yard walking competition. DAN COOK PHOTO
Mark Kelly successfully benches 100 pounds in the second round of the bench press competition as judge Kate Baird looks on. DAN COOK PHOTO
Veteran athlete Sarah Bosco scores points for the Riptide team. DAN COOK PHOTO
Kimberly Smith likes her roll in the bocce competition. She teamed with Sarah Bosco in the doubles contest. DAN COOK PHOTO
Donnie Voshell of the MOT Tigers likes his chances for gold in the walking competition. DAN COOK PHOTO
Beth Fuhs of the Wilmington Wizards demonstrates her winning technique in the bocce competition. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sussex Riptide walker James Hall shows his winning smile after the 100-yard competition. DAN COOK PHOTO
Elena Tadlock of the Wilmington Wizards takes the gold in the 100-yard dash with Newark Dragons runner Jacob Zonick following in second. DAN COOK PHOTO

Nearly 700 athletes from around Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania came to compete in the 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games June 9-10 at the University of Delaware Sports Complex. It is the 47th year for the annual event, which includes bocce, swimming, softball, tennis, powerlifting and track & field.

The Wilmington Wizards, Newark Dragons, MOT Tigers, Kent Wild Kats, Sussex Riptide, the Meadowood Program of the Red Clay Consolidated School District, and teams from Pennsylvania and Virginia vied for medals and the joy of competition with teammates of all ages. Unified partners also competed alongside their athlete teammates.

The Olympic Village showcased the Healthy Athletes program, which included Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Fit Feet and Healthy Hearing where athletes could take advantage of free health screening and free glasses, orthotics and dental care.

Opening ceremonies were Friday afternoon, followed in the evening by a dinner and dance for the athletes, families and volunteers, where they could mingle with the other athletes and get down on the dance floor to popular music.

Athletes were able to stay in the UD dorms to be rested for their two days of competition.

For more information on Special Olympics, go to SODE.org.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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