Highland County Special Olympics Team competes at State Special Olympics Summer Games

The Highland County Special Olympics Team has just returned after a successful trip to the 2012 State Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games. 

Twenty-three athletes have won honors in their various events. 

Winners from the Highland County Special Olympics Team include:

C. Compher: 100M Dash (4th), Softball Throw (Silver)
M. Eldridge: Softball Throw (Gold), 100M Dash (Silver)
D. Green: Shotput (Gold), 100M Dash (Silver)
T. Harmon: Softball Throw (4th), 50M Dash (Gold)
N. Heimbrock: Softball Throw (Gold)
J. Jones: 100M Walk (Gold), Softball Throw (Gold)
D. Madden: Shotput (Silver), 50M Dash (Gold)
J. McFarland: Softball Throw (4th), 50M Dash (Silver)
C. Morrison: Shotput (Bronze), 50M Dash (4th)
J. Perrin: 100M Walk (Silver), Softball Throw (Gold)
J. Pridemore: 50M Dash (Bronze), Softball Throw (4th)
R. Rogers: Softball Throw (6th), 50M Dash (Gold)
B. Seymour: Shotput (Bronze), 100M Dash (Bronze)
T. Snyder: Softball Throw (4th), 100M Dash (Gold)
C. Tissot: Softball Throw (4th), 50M Dash (Gold)
D. Turner: 100M Dash (Gold), Shotput (Bronze)
D. Walker: 25M Wheelchair Race (Gold), Softball Throw (Silver)
K. Wilkin: Shotput (Gold), 50M Dash (Silver)
T. Williamson: Softball Throw (Gold)
A. Whaley: 50M Dash (Gold), Softball Throw (Gold)

These athletes have just participated in the annual Ohio Special Olympics. After successfully competing in the area competition at Rio Grande, they were chosen to represent Highland County at the games. More than 2,500 participants were involved in the weekend program held at the Ohio State University. 
 
The Summer Games program included eleven sports, movies, recreational clinics, and the colorful Opening Ceremonies. Athletes and coaches were housed in OSU dormitories and were provided six meals through the University's Union Services. 
 
Opening ceremonies started off the weekend on Friday, June 22 at Jesse Owens Stadium. The symbolic lighting of the Olympic Flame of Hope officially opened the games and was followed by a dance and fair provided by hundreds of volunteers.
 
Special Olympics offer year-round training and competition in 23 winter and summer Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics Ohio program is reaching more than 17,000 athletes. 
 
Special thanks go to the supporters of the Highland County Special Olympics. 

Kraig Walker serves as the local coordinator for Highland County. Coaches attending the Summer Games and volunteering their time and expertise included Lori Newman, Lori Roever, Christina Howard, Anna Ritter, Mike Spriggs, Ken Gray, Nathan Boatman and Kraig Walker. Athletes participating represented Lynchburg-Clay High School and Hills and Dales Training Center.