The Jaguars 5-5 team for Kosciusko County Special Olympics that won the gold at a recent basketball tournament is shown. From left are coach Fred Parrett, Seth Seitzler, Zeus, Kevin McPeak, Kyle Cripe, Amy Philson, Matt Bammel, Isaiah Tessereau, Brendan Lynn and Gage Sellers. Not pictured is Mike Bousman. Photo provided.

News Release

UPLAND — Special Olympic athletes from Kosciusko County competed in a basketball tournament held at Taylor University in Upland on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Both Kosciusko County basketball teams won gold medals in their respective contests. The Jaguars won their 5-on-5 team competition; they beat the Hamilton Heroes 40-17 and the St. Joseph Kingsmen 39-8. The Panthers also won, defeating the Hendricks Hoosiers 35-4 and the St. Joseph Vikings 20-0, in their 3-on-3 games.

Panther coach Tom Hamilton and Jaguars coach Fred Parrett, along with assistant coaches Kim Parrett and Victoria Parrett, coached this year’s teams.

In the skills competition, the following athletes competed and placed in their areas:

• Crystal Redman, first place (gold)
• Walter Holtz, seconnd place (silver)
• Robert Svinarich, third place (bronze)
• Derrick Dausman, third place (bronze)
• Stephen Troyer, third place (bronze)
• Billie Holtz, fourth place
• Kim Holloway, fourth place

Skills coaches Lucinda Conley, Kerry Coulter and Bobbie Pelfrey worked with the athletes for the competition.

The Panthers 3-on-3 team is coached by Tom Hamilton and includes players Sabrina Turner, Izzy Dawson, Timothy Warner-Guile, Knickolas Fletcher, Chris Cole and Morgan Swafford.

The Jaguars 5-on-5 team includes coach Fred Parrett and players Seth Seitzler, Zeus, Kevin McPeak, Kyle Cripe, Amy Philson, Matt Bammel, Isaiah Tessereau, Brendan Lynn, Gage Sellers and Mike Bousman.

There were a record number of teams participating in this year’s team event. Becky Walls, Kosciusko County Special Olympics coordinator, said she was grateful to all the coaches and volunteers for their time and work that made participation possible.

Walls also said she was grateful to the Warsaw Wayne Township firefighters, who scrimmaged with the Panthers and Jaguars prior to the tournament to help prepare the teams for competition.

Upcoming activities for Special Olympics Kosciusko County include the following: regional basketball tournament in Logansport in March; practice beginning in late March for the Summer Games; and the Bowl-a-thon Fundraiser on April 28.