Special Olympics Philadelphia held their 27th Annual Volleyball Tournament this past Saturday, October 22, 2016. Philadelphia welcomed 150 athletes from 11 volleyball teams from Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Clinton County. Teams met at Lincoln High School to engage in cooperative volleyball play. Richard Bailey hosted the Opening Ceremonies along with athlete, Teddy Angerman. Teddy announced each team as they marched in the Parade of Athletes. Teams included the Clinton County Hawks, Philadelphia Angelic Stars, Philadelphia Green Diamonds, Montgomery Hawks, Montgomery Warriors, Philadelphia Wildcats 1, Philadelphia Wildcats 2, Montgomery County Blue Barracudas, Montgomery County Key Limes, Montgomery County Teal Seals, Philadelphia Phlash. After the Parade of Athlete, the Abraham Lincoln High School Junior ROTC presented the colors. When the colors were presented, Denine Latanzo Aversa sang the national anthem, as everyone in the audience joined in and sang with her. As the national anthem concluded, you could feel the excitement growing as Joseph Barut carried the torch. As Joseph came down the aisle, he received an enthusiastic fanfare from the athletes, coaches and spectators. Jennifer Wetzel led athletes in the Special Olympics Athlete Oath of, “Let me win. If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” After the Athlete Oath, Special Olympics Philadelphia Director, Britt Kleine, said a few words before Teddy Angerman officially declared the games open!
 
 
 
Thank you to all of the coaches, Officials and volunteers who helped make this day possible!
 
View Photos on our Facebook Page
 

Results:

Group 1: 

RESULTS:
1st Place: Clinton Hawks
2nd Place: Montgomery Warriors
3rd Place: Philadelphia Phlash
4th Place: Philadelphia Green Diamonds
 
Games: 
Clinton Hawks vs. Montgomery Warriors
Philadelphia Green Diamonds vs. Philadelphia Phlash
Clinton Hawks vs. Philadelphia Green Diamonds
Montgomery Warriors vs. Philadelphia Phlash
Clinton Hawks vs. Philadelphia Phlash
Montgomery Warriors vs. Philadelphia Green Diamonds
 

GROUP 2: 

Results:
1st Place: Montgomery Teal Seals
2nd Place: Montgomery Blue Barracudas
3rd Place: Philadelphia Wildcats 1
 
Games:
Montgomery Blue Barracudas vs. Philadelphia Wildcats 1
Montgomery Blue Barracudas vs. Montgomery Teal Seals
Philadelphia Wildcats 1 vs. Montgomery Teal Seals
 

GROUP 3: 

Results:
1st Place: Montgomery Key Limes
2nd Place: Montgomery Hawks
3rd Place: Philadelphia Angelic Stars
4th Place: Philadelphia Wildcats 2
 
GAMES:
Philadelphia Angelic Stars vs. Montgomery Hawks
Montgomery Key Limes vs. Philadelphia Wildcats 2
Philadelphia Angelic Stars vs. Montgomery Key Limes
Montgomery Hawks vs. Philadelphia Wildcats 2
Philadelphia Angelic Stars vs. Philadelphia Wildcats 2
Montgomery Hawks vs. Montgomery Key Limes
 

On Saturday, April 30th, 70 athletes represented Philadelphia at the 2016 Eastern Spring Sectional held at Kutztown University. Opening Ceremonies was filled with many performances including the KutzTones, Kutztown University’s A cappella group, singing the national anthem, Special Stars cheerleading team performing their routine, and Kutztown University Dance Team performing two numbers. During Opening Ceremonies, Fran Moore, Head Coach of Special Olympics Philadelphia Aquatics lead the coaches in the Coaches’ Oath. After the conclusion of Opening Ceremonies, our Philadelphia athletes joined over 1,000 athletes from the eastern part of Pennsylvania to compete in one of the six sports offered at the Eastern Spring Sectional – Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball, Golf, Softball, and Tennis.

Aquatics Results:

Joseph Barut
25 M Freestyle, :34.72 2nd Place
  50 M Backstroke, 1:39.10 1st Place
  25 M Backstroke, :47.81 1st Place
Ian Capacio
100 M Butterfly, 1:47.91 1st Place
  200 M Individual Medley Participation
  800 M Freestyle, 12:20.22 3rd Place
Meghan Garlick
200 M Individual Medley Participation
  100 M Backstroke, 1:48.37 1st Place
  200 M Breaststroke, 4:42.54 1st Place
Kelsey Greenewald
200 M Freestyle, 4:01.81 1st Place
  25 M Backstroke, :28.39 1st Place
  100 M Freestyle, 1:47.92 2nd Place
Katelyn Joyce
50 M Butterfly, 1:37.42 2nd Place
  100 M Freestyle, 2:38.29 2nd Place
  50 M Backstroke, 1:14.96 3rd Place
Heather Lutts
100 M Freestyle, 2:39.53 3rd Place
  50 M Backstroke, 1:18.87 5th Place
  25 M Butterfly, :41.29 1st Place
Jackie Lutts
100 M Freestyle, 1:54.71 4th Place
  50 M Backstroke, 1:06.78 3rd Place
  50 M Freestyle, :51.38 2nd Place
Matthew Malyj
25 M Breaststroke, :31.16 2nd Place
  50 M Breaststroke Participation
  100M Freestyle, 2:13.53 1st Place
Brian Meehan
100 M Backstroke, 2:08.16 4th Place
  400 M Freestyle, 9:26.72 1st Place
  200 M Freestyle, 4:29.90 3rd Place
Katie Moore
800 M Freestyle, 19:33.35 2nd Place
  100 M Individual Medley, 2:13.82 2nd Place
  100 M Butterfly, 2:30.95 2nd Place
Jesse Rose
100 M Butterfly, 2:34.30 3rd Place
  200 M Backstroke, 4:21.59 1st Place
  800M Freestyle, 18:57.97 1st Place

 

Basketball Results:

Philly Phlames

Matthew Grabowski, Clifford Johnson, Kwante Crummy, Ryan Bogan, Joe Rynkiewicz, Angel Rodriguez, Charlie Zisette, Mitchell Stahl

Northwest Warriors

Lavar Gladden, Devone Clements, Nicole Stnaley, Demetrius LeFlore, Tyrone Durant, Abdul Muhammad, Frank Olevsky, Benjamin Liken, Michael Henderson, Denzel McFadden

Philly Phorce

Andrew Hooks, Matt Beckman, Sam Fioravanti, Ronald Atkins, William Strauser, Emest Swanson, Danny Amrik, Allison Rutizer

Philly Phlash

Lateef Hiller, James Fulton, Felipe Rivera, Kenny Lamont, James Trotman, Nakisha Johnson, Kyle Sheaff, Christopher Ray, Sharod King, Jonathon Watson, James Daly III, James Thorton

Philly Phever

Vernon Mayfield, Matthew Everett, Derrell Sutton, Luis Cotto, Brian Stulz, Carl Irvis, Derrick Jackson, Josh Harris, Danny Charlton, Corey Sweet

Philly Phusion

Emmett Abdo, Michael Castillo, Stanley Dluzniewski, James Shelton, Kelly Dluziewski, Kristie Walls, David Brent Williams, Bianca Pedulla, Anthony Gross, Aida Ortiz, Carlyn Robinson

All Photos
 

Coach of the YearLast night, at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Leadership Conference, individuals were recognized for their achievements within Special Olympics PA throughout the year during the annual awards banquet. Awards include Athlete of the Year, Partner of the Year, Program of the Year, etc. During this banquet, Philadelphia Beginner Swim Coach, Fran Moore named SOPA Coach of the Year! Fran has served as Aquatics Head Coach for 6 years.  Every year she challenges the athletes (beginner to advanced) to step out of their comfort zone and try a new event. Over the years under Fran’s supervision and dedication we have had many athletes who started with no basic knowledge of swimming now be able to accomplish the breaststroke, backstroke, IM’s and even 800 meter freestyles.  Fran is like a second mother to all the athletes.  She listens when they have problems or need someone to listen. She reviews the Athlete Code of Conduct at least 4 times a season to ensure they know the rules and support one another in good sportsmanship. 

Congratulations, Fran! We’re so lucky to have you as part of our Special Olympics Philadelphia family! 

Click here for Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s recap of this year’s Leadership Conference Award Banquet as well as photos of all the winners! 

On DSC03447August 1st, before kickoff of the highly anticipated  Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls match at PPL Park, Myra Ausberry named Hometown Hero.

The Hometown Hero award recognize those men and women who have made a difference in the lives of others. These heroes are ordinary people that have had an extraordinary impact through their service, dedication, knowledge and spirit. The Philadelphia Union looks to salute those heroes who have inspired people to improve the lives of their cities, towns communities and neighbors . Traditional values of teamwork, effort, accountability, trust and selflessness are the cornerstones of Philadelphia Union’s Hometown Heroes.

Myra Ausberry has volunteered countless hours as a coach in a number of sports for Special Olympics Philadelphia to some of the most underserved athletes in some of the most underserved areas of the city. She ensures that those she engages with know about the opportunities available through Special Olympics but even more, she supports their on-boarding by providing resources and personal support to them wherever needed. The energy Myra brings to her role as a coach is contagious and it’s easy to see that the athletes and families enjoy being around her. Myra’s support and commitment to her teams every season has not gone unnoticed. She has personally helped athletes from competing on a local level to be able to compete on the national stage! Her passion for Special Olympics goes beyond the seven sports she is certified to coach in the community program. Myra is also an active supporter for the Unified Sports program and is particularly known for her current coaching position with the Martin Luther King High School Unified Soccer Team.

Congratulations, Myra! We are so lucky to have such a committed volunteer!