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Special Olympics holds Summer Games at UD

Sussex Riptide sprinters Casey Hains, left, and Armando Cruz-Villaman leave the blocks in the 50-meter dash during the 53rd annual Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games at the University of Delaware. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 11, 2024

Special Olympics Delaware held its 53rd annual Summer Games June 7-8 at the University of Delaware, where hundreds of athletes, dozens of coaches and thousands of volunteers took part in the sports of bocce, swimming, softball, power lifting, tennis, and track & field.

“The Summer Games had more athletes, unified partners, coaches and volunteers than they’ve had in a long time, maybe even ever,” said Special Olympics Delaware spokesman Jon Buzby. “Our hats go off to co-sponsors DuPont and Bank of America, and all those who helped make this great event possible so our athletes could have their moment in the spotlight.”

In the Olympic village, athletes could take advantage of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes resources that offered free health screenings and education.

For more information about Special Olympics Delaware, go to sode.org.

 

The heat and humidity don’t affect Tony Bowe’s performance in the 3,000 meters. He took first by over a lap.
Sussex Riptide distance runner Hannah McNiece tackles the grueling 3,000-meter run.
Riptide sprinters Steven Douglas, Andrew Detwiler, Max Popelsky and Donald Jefferson compete for gold in the 50-meter dash.
Riptide runner Yuseff Bartsch takes the gold in in his flight final of the 50-meter dash.
Dominic Beverley runs the 50-meter dash for the Sussex Riptide.
Riptide teammates Connor Watson, center, and Matthew Carroll, right, take 1-2 in their flight of the 50-meter dash.
Hannah McNiece is proud of her medal for the 3,000 meters.
Sussex Riptide center fielder Zach Simpler makes a play to second in the Riptide win over the Networks.
Riptide shortstop Bruno Camarco throws to first for an out.
Sussex Riptide pitcher Cailee Layton makes a good catch off a Networks pop-up with teammate Brian Arendall looking on.
Sussex Riptide pitcher Cailee Layton celebrates her catch.
Sussex Riptide’s Kip Widney comes in for a score.
Riptide batter AJ Winnington gets an assist from coach Steve Perrotta.
Sussex Riptide’s Kip Widney celebrates his score at home.
Riptide batter Andrea Hastings slams a hit.
Riptide batter Cailee Layton powers a shot into the outfield.
Riptide batter Brian Arendall knocks in a run.
Riptide batter Sara Perrotta runs to first after moving up a base runner.
Sussex Riptide’s Gabby Parillon swims the free relay.
Jayden Niblett swims the freestyle relay for the Sussex Riptide.
Katelyn Taylor swims the backstroke for the Sussex Riptide.
Riptide’s Alex Sklar swims the backstroke.
Kristin Hanifee makes the turn in the backstroke.
Kristin Hanifee shows off her medal for the backstroke.
The unified swim team shows its winning attitude. Shown are (l-r) Lori Smyth, Katelyn Taylor, Gabby Parillon and Clara Gallagher.
Special Olympics Delaware Director of Sport Training Cheryl Talmo spins her own frozen smoothie as Kinah Davis of Good Wheely Smoothies looks on.
Wilmington Wizards athlete Geoffrey Ellithorpe competes in bocce with the assistance of his mom, Cheryl.
Sussex Riptide coach Lisa Thorp, center, watches as her swimming team competes in the free relay.
Riptide player Mariah Hartzell hits a forehand drive in the tennis competition.
Kim Jones hits a forehand for the Kent Wildcats.
Wendi Rebels participates in the bocce competition for the Sussex Riptide.
Shortstop Randy Jackson of the Networks program throws to first for an out.

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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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