2016 Summer Games

The 47th annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games took place from June 2-4 at Penn State University. The 2016 Summer Games might have been a rainy, but that did not wipe the smiles off of the athlete’s faces. Over the course of three days, athletes competed in sports such as aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis. With over 2,000 athletes, 800 coaches, and 2,500 volunteers this event was a success.

Competitions began Thursday with preliminary rounds. Later that night Opening Ceremonies kicked off the weekend. Players from the Penn State Football team pumped up the crowd to begin the ceremony and made sure every individual in the arena was on their feet having the time of their life. Even Sue Paterno joined in on the dancing! Opening Ceremonies featured speeches from the President and CEO of Special Olympics PA, Matthew Aaron, and Special Olympics PA Senior Vice President of Programming, Clare Walsh Miller, and a couple of athletes eager to share their enthusiasm for the upcoming competitions.

At the conclusion of Opening Ceremonies, the Flame of Hope was brought in by The Law Enforcement Torch Run which began at PNC Park in Pittsburg and traveled 150 miles over three days to end at the Opening Ceremonies in the Pegula Ice Arena. The torch was lead by ten motorcycles came in with their sirens and lights on, as the crowd roared. With help from law enforcement officials, athlete Kyle Zurns, lit the torch, and the games officially began!

After a spectacular Opening Ceremonies, competition kicked off Friday as early as 8 a.m. and athletes began to receive medals that they would remember for a lifetime. Athletes got to interact and socialize with Penn State athletes during their competition and were even awarded by these wonderful student athletes. Throughout the course of the games, Healthy Athlete programs were offered around the campus. In Pollock Commons fitness, eye, ear, dental, and dietary health screenings were provided free of charge for our athletes. In addition, at certain venues during competitions, staff offered information about healthy eating habits as well as healthy snack options to athletes and their families.

A fun filled weekend came to an end with closing ceremonies on Saturday with the presentation of the Sheetz Family Award of Excellence. James Fry from Columbia/Montour was the winner and raised his new gold trophy high to show everyone around. His smile was contagious and had everyone smiling with him as they left Penn State.

Results:

Athletics

Raymond Anderson	50M Walk	:16.80	Participation
	100M Walk	:39.50	3rd Place
	Shotput	906	1st Place
Porsha Blake	50M Walk	:19.70	1st Place
	100M Walk	:44.50	1st Place
	Softball Throw	1260	3rd Place
Keith Collins	25M Walk	:11.50	1st Place
	50M Walk	:31.10	1st Place
	100M Walk	:49.90	2nd Place
Desmond Corley	100M Run	:14.52	2nd Place
	200M Run	:31.08	4th Place
	Long Jump	177	5th Place
Tyrell Hargrave	100M Run	:15.01	1st Place
	200M Run	:30.09	1st Place
	Long Jump	222	3rd Place
John Kulpa	100M Run	:15.88	6th Place
	4x100M Relay	01:13.3	1st Place
	Shotput	769	2nd Place
Tamika Newkirk	50M Run	:08.90	1st Place
	Softball Throw	1365	1st Place
Adrianna Nieves	100M Run	:19.10	1st Place
	200M Run	:42.50	1st Place
	4x100M Relay	01:13.3	1st Place
	Shotput	197	1st Place
Tyreek Perkins	100M Run	:14.10	5th Place
	200M Run	:29.12	1st Place
	4x100M Relay	01:13.3	1st Place
	Long Jump	387	2nd Place
Sharon Quarles	25M Walk	:07.30	1st Place
	50M Walk	:17.40	1st Place
	Softball Throw	1301	2nd Place
Eugene Riley	100M Walk	:29.80	1st Place
	400M Walk	02:55.0	1st Place
	Softball Throw	2243	2nd Place
Sadika Smith	100M Run	:18.10	3rd Place
	200M Run	:38.30	4th Place
	Shotput	329	2nd Place
Sheila Stevens	25M Walk	:08.70	Participation
	50M Walk	:28.60	3rd Place
	Softball Throw	592	2nd Place
Michael Walker	100M Walk	:29.60	3rd Place
	400M Walk	02:38.0	2nd Place
	Shotput	514	3rd Place

Aquatics

Kelsey Greenwald	25M Backstroke	32.37	5th Place
	100M Freestyle	1.46.67	2nd Place
	200M Freestyle	4:06.58	3rd Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	5:18.72	2nd Place
Joseph Barut	25M Backstroke	48.43	2nd Place
	25M Freestyle	33.91	4th Place
	50M Freestyle	1:20.97	3rd Place
Katelyn Joyce	25M Breaststroke	45.34	2nd Place
	100M Backstroke	2:47.15	2nd Place
	100M Freestyle	2:45.18	7th Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	5:18.72	2nd Place
Shane O’Neill	50M Backstroke	59.28	1st Place
	100M Freestyle	2:07.57	4th Place
	400M Freestyle	10:42.06	1st Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	3.26.03	1st Place
Jackie Lutts	50M Backstroke	1:09.06	3rd Place
	50M Freestyle	49.38	1st Place
	100M Freestyle	1:52.89	2nd Place
Heather Lutts	50M Breaststroke	1:53.50	1st Place
	50M Freestyle	1:11.08	3rd Place
	100M Freestyle	2:53.93	8th Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	5:18.72	2nd Place
Katie Moore	100M Breaststroke	2:34.89	3rd Place
	200M Individual Medley	4:47.06	2nd Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	5:18.72	2nd Place
	800M Freestyle	21.01.09	2nd Place
Jesse Rose	100M Breaststroke	2:35.12	4th Place
	200M Backstroke	4:17.77	2nd Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	3:26.03	1st Place
	800M Freestyle	18.42.32	1st Place
Meghan Garlick	100M Freestyle	1:47.87	2nd Place
	200M Backstroke	4:35.41	1st Place
	200M Individual Medley	4:22.25	4th Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	3.26.03	1st Place
Ian Capacio	200M Backstroke	4:28.47	4th Place
	200M Individual Medley	3:30.89	1st Place
	4x50M Medley Relay	3:26.03	1st Place
	800M Freestyle	13:13.55	1st Place