Ross County Special Olympics is celebrating its medal haul at the State Summer Games held June 13-15 in Columbus. According to an announcement, 46 athletes from Ross County competed in various sports during the event, which is the largest annual competition organized by Special Olympics Ohio.
The State Summer Games featured seven different sports, attracting over 3,000 athletes, 88 local programs, 850 coaches, and around 1,000 volunteers. This year marked the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Ohio, making the event a significant occasion for participants and supporters alike.
Athletics was coached by Lori Graves and Noah Daniels. Their team achieved notable success, earning ten gold medals, five silver medals, and seven bronze medals. Among the standout athletes was Jeanine Long, 64, from Frankfort, who won two gold medals in her events: assisted walking and softball throw. The 4×100 relay team, consisting of Jamaine Barnhart, Timothy May, Andrew May, and Dale Jr. Neff, set a personal record with a time of 59.54 seconds. Some athletes were awarded their medals by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
Bowling, coached by Doug Blue, Richard Dillow, Josh Mankin, and Beth Little, also had a strong showing. The bowlers secured four gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals. Gold medalists included James Crowe, Conor McMahon, Victoria Burns, and Ginger Knedler.
In powerlifting, coached by Kevin Dearth, Joseph Palmer, and Chris Hiles, athletes competed in bench press and deadlift events. The team brought home four silver medals and six bronze medals. They are also awarded for the best overall performance based on a Wilks score. David Horsley achieved a personal record with a deadlift of 358 pounds, while Noah Hiles completed a deadlift of 336 pounds, also a personal best.
Special Olympics is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round training and competition in Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities aged 8 and up. The program relies on the support of volunteers, sponsors, and donors. For those interested in supporting the Ross County Trailblazers, contact Local Coordinator Courtney Davis at 740-273-1219 or via email at ro********************@***il.com.
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This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County athletes bring home medals from Special Olympics Ohio