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State’s largest bocce ball tournament held at Cape High Oct. 10

Special Olympics Delaware and local school district team up for event
Cape Henlopen High School hosted the state’s largest bocce ball tournament Oct. 10 at Champions Stadium. Prior to the games, Special Olympics Delaware acknowledged Cape for its commitment to inclusion. Shown at the banner school recognition are (l-r) Lisa Thorp, Sara Davis, Kayla Droge, Vincent Lloyd, Margaret Haas and Sophia Chilleli. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
October 13, 2023

The largest bocce ball tournament in Delaware was held at Champions Field Oct. 10.

Special Olympics Delaware and the Cape Henlopen School District partnered up for the two-hour-long event that featured students from across the school district partnering up to battle one another in the popular outdoor game. Roughly 350 students from Rehoboth Elementary, Love Creek Elementary, Lewes Elementary, H.O Brittingham Elementary, Milton Elementary, Mariner Middle, Beacon Middle and Cape Henlopen High schools participated in the tournament. 

Two of the schools – Cape Henlopen and H.O. Brittingham – were honored prior to the tournament for their commitment to inclusion. Representatives from each school accepted a banner recognizing each as a state banner school.

Charlotte Maxwell, a Cape student, was escorted by Delaware State Police troopers as she carried the Special Olympics torch into the bleachers to ceremoniously begin the tournament.

As the games started, a few standouts from each of the schools began to emerge. While some students flashed their bocce ball skills, others exhibited tremendous sportsmanship by not only helping their teammates, but fellow Vikings on other teams as well. Cheers of support and celebration could be heard all over the turf, while jeers and tears were nowhere to be seen.

Cape Henlopen School District Mentor Coordinator Kim Hoey Stevenson was pleased with the 2023 turnout and said she hopes the tournament continues on an annual basis.

More information about Special Olympics Delaware and the various events held across the state can be found at sode.org.

Named a state banner school for its commitment to inclusion, H.O. Brittingham was acknowledged for its efforts prior to the bocce ball tournament. Shown with the banner are (l-r) Julie Hickman, Daniel Fernanedez-Rodriguez, Dylan Yost, Amy Brown, Diego Revolorio, Brody Deas and Bill Funkhouser.
Special Olympics Delaware Director of Media Relations Jon Buzby explains the importance of the tournament and inclusive play prior to the start.
Cape Henlopen High School’s Charlotte Maxwell had the honor of running the torch into the stadium with a Delaware State Police escort, holding it high for all athletes to see.
Rehoboth Elementary School’s Brayden Borrow begins his toss.
Rehoboth Elementary School’s Lauren Baker helps Arya Dohring toss out the small white target ball. Shown with them are (l-r) Brooke Zolper, left, and Andon Dohring, right.
Lewes Elementary School’s Ainslee Clem watches her ball roll on the turf.
Lewes Elementary’s Malcolm Freeman has the poise of a bowler as he rolls his bocce ball.
H.O. Brittingham’s Melena Pierce is quite pleased with her most recent roll.
Love Creek’s Angelina Rodriguez takes a break from helping her teammates to roll a ball.
H.O. Brittingham’s Amani Johnson lines up her shot and begins to roll.
Milton Elementary’s Kevron Tingle tries to hit his mark.
H.O. Brittinham’s Jacob Reynolds remains cool under pressure.
Beacon Middle School’s Samuel Ribeiro tosses a ball during the final matches of the day.
Beacon Middle School’s Ze’Riah Finney carefully begins to roll her ball.
Mariner Middle School’s Linda Boyd checks out where her shot lands and rolls.
Beacon Middle School’s Charlie Imperial begins to toss his ball in the final round.
Mariner Middle School’s Isabelle Cashdollar is money with her roll.
Jwalit Patel delivered, with precise accuracy and a delicate touch, points for his team on this roll.
As the tournament concluded, Delaware State Police troopers made their rounds to award the winners with first-, second- and third-place medals.
Some high schoolers helped manage teams, others kept score, and the rest joined in on teams to compete in the tournament.
Bright medals and brighter smiles wrapped up a beautiful fall day of bocce ball at Champions Stadium.

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