Area competitors at the Indiana Special Olympics Summer Games show off awards at the bowling competition in Terre Haute. From left to right are John Ong, Betsy McGlynn (Volunteer), Josie Wood, Mary Kay Bess, Sabrina Turner, Robert Svinarich and Sandy Bibler. (Photos provided)

TERRE HAUTE – Over 2,700 athletes recently participated in the 47th Indiana Special Olympics Summer Games. The annual State Games began Friday, June 10 and concluded Sunday, June 12 with this year’s theme, “Let’s Change the Game”.

Antonio Drummond is the runner on the far left on the track.

Teams from throughout the state gathered with over 1,000 coaches and chaperones, 1,200 event volunteers and thousands of spectators and families to help kick off the games that included aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, power lifting, volleyball and track and field at Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In addition to three days of competition, there were Olympic-style ceremonies, the Torch Run, an Olympic Tent Town and a Health Festival.

The opening ceremonies Friday evening filled more than half of the Hulman Center Field House on the ISU campus with athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and special guests. The athletes wearing colorful T-shirts matching their county regions were enthusiastic with music playing while entering the arena and greeted by Special Olympics officials, ISU athletes and cheerleaders and law enforcement. Flight Crew Jump Rope and the Jesse White Tumbling Group from Chicago performed for an enthusiastic crowd.

Local results are below:

Bowling (Various Divisions)
Jim Nuell / Barb Mikesell – first place   (Ramp Bowlers)
Mary Kay Bess/ Josie Wood – second place
Sandy Bibler/ Robert Svinarich – third place
John Ong/ Sabrina Turner – fourth place

Bocce (Various Divisions)
Unified Partner Doubles
John Bonitati/ Wayne Momeyer – first place

Traditional Four-Person Teams

John Lane/Scott Frush/Ron Taylor/Marshall Werner – first place
Matt Bammel/Jerry Davis/Wayne Momeyer/Kevin McPeak – second place
Norman McPeak/Kathy Kumfer/James Mornout/Martha Sullivan – third place
Ruby French/Sandy Hunter/Gale Vanator/Liz Wabol – third place
Brian Bierly/Jamie Denhartog/John Gullett/Greg Kanney – fourth place

Traditional Doubles

Scott Frush / John Lane – first place
Kathy Kumfer/ Norm McPeak – first place
Matt Bammel / Jerry Davis – second place
James Mornout/ Martha Sullivan – second place
Ruby French/ Sandy Hunter – third place
Brian Bierly/ John Gullett – third place
Jamie DenHartog/ Greg Kanney – fourth place
Gayle Vanator/ Liz Wabol – fourth place
Ron Taylor/ Marshall Werner – fourth place

Track (Various Divisions)

Shannon Middaugh
Soft ball throw – second place
100m wheelchair – first place
200m wheelchair – first place

Christina Messer
Softball throw – fifth place
400m walk – third place

Joe Bradley
Softball throw – fourth place
50m dash – fourth place
Standing long jump – fourth place

Lori Kiefer
Softball throw – fourth place
50 m dash – fifth place
Standing long jump – third place

Antonio Drummond
Mini javelin – fourth place
100 m dash – fourth place
4 x 100 relay – team disqualified

Anthony DeGaetano
Running long jump – first place
200 m dash – third place
4 x 100 relay – team disqualified

Amy Philson
Mini javelin – first place
100m dash – second place
4 x 100 relay – team disqualified

Erica Mifflin
Mini javelin – third place
100 m dash – first place
4 x 100 relay – team disqualified

Becky Walls, Director for Special Olympics Indiana Kosciusko County, stated that 35 county athletes participated in the Games this year along with 19 volunteers and coaches. Becky also wanted to thank all the coaches and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

Flag football and corn toss will be starting in July for Special Olympics in Kosciusko County.

Special Olympics Indiana has programs that serve more than 11,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. On average, there are eight Special Olympics events going on somewhere in Indiana everyday made possible by a network of nearly 10,000 volunteers.