This summer is a busy time of year for the Tuscarawas County Rockets.
This Friday through Sunday 30 athletes and 16 coaches/volunteers will take part in Ohio’s Special Olympics Summer Games to be held at Ohio State University in Columbus.
They will compete in the sports of bocce (traditional and unified), bowling, and athletics (track & field).
On June 28-July 6, Shane York will travel to Seattle to represent the Rockets and Team Ohio at the Special Olympics USA Games. He will compete in the sport of bocce. Sue Kloc of New Philadelphia will serve as assistant coach for Shane’s bocce team.
Athletes have been preparing for the higher level competition since March. They have been practicing 1-2 times per week in preparation. Practice sites have included Kelley Field (Indian Valley Schools), Starlight School, Wabash Lanes, and Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium (New Philadelphia City Schools). Head coaches, Heather Menefee (bowling), Ashley Metzcar (athletics), and Shar Miller (bocce) all agree that these practice sites and the owners/athletic directors are vital to the success of the Rockets.
Shane is the sole athlete participating in USA Games from Area 9 (Ohio is divided into 16 geographical areas, with Area 9 covering 9 counties.). He is the first athletes since the year 2000 to be selected for USA or World Games. Shane shares that he is excited and plans on winning gold at the prestigious event. Traveling to support him will be Metzcar, Miller, and Chelsea and Richelle Lefler.
“Shane is one of the best bocce players we have," said Miller. "I know he’s going to go to USA Games and represent the Rockets and Ohio with all of his heart. We are so proud of him.”
Qualifying for Summer Games for the Rockets are the following:
Bocce - Easton and Patrick Dillon, Chelsea Lefler, Eric Lingo, Angelica Mendoza, Rusty Parsons, Ginger Stalcup, and Sammy Thornton.
Bowling - Alex Adkins, Abby Cool, Diana DeMonte, Wendy Garver, Miranda Milburn, Karin Miller, Lonnie Thornton, and Nathanial Wells.
Athletics - Kaylee Arthurs, Jehred Bennett, Conner DiGenova, Kristina Chambers, Craig Gordon, Steve Hazelip, Shane Johnson, Samantha Mastroine, Matthew Medley, Keilan Patterson, Rachel Russell, Dalton Sprowl, Logan Wise, and Kershel Zehnder.
A rally has been planned for today, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Dover.
The New Philadelphia Police Department will escort the buses out of town on Friday as they leave Starlight School at 8 a.m.