Local Special Olympic Athletes Compete in 2024 Indiana State Games

Shown are two of the Kosciusko County Special Olympians Morgan Swafford and Malika Wood. Photo provided by John Bonitati.
News Release

TERRE HAUTE — Special Olympics athletes from Kosciusko County competed in the 2024 Indiana State Games in Terre Haute from June 7-9. The Indiana State Games had more than 2,000 athletes and unified partners. Kosciusko County sent eight bowlers, 12 bocce players and 13 track and field participants to the competition.

The opening ceremonies, celebrating the 55th year anniversary was held Friday evening, at the Hulman Center Field House on the Indiana State University campus, hosting athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and special guests.

Olympic Town, the Saturday dance and comedy night were enjoyed by all.

Results for local athletes are as follows:

Track And Field

Timothy Warner-Guile — Fifth in running long jump and fourth in 100m race.

Mike Bousman — Gold in mini javelin and fourth in 100m race.

Izrael Dawson — Bronze in softball throw and fourth in standing long jump.

Antonio Drummond — Gold in standing long jump and mini javelin and fifth in the 50m race.

Shannon Middaugh — Gold in the 25m race and silver in softball throw.

Erica Mifflin — Fourth in standing long jump, silver in the 50m race and bronze in mini javelin.

Ruby Mock — Gold in standing long jump and softball throw and silver in 50m race.

Amy Philson — Gold in the 100m race and silver in the mini javelin.

Morgan Swafford — Gold in the 50m race and fourth in mini javelin.

Malika Wood — Gold in the 25m race and 50m race and silver in softball throw.

Matt Bammel — Bronze in mini javelin and 50m race.

Lauren Everett — Gold in 50m race and bronze in mini javelin.

James Gillian — Fourth in 50m race and silver in mini javelin.

Coaches were Ross Wallen and Mark Wallen.

Bowling

Bowlers, in the traditional two-person team were:

Kevin McPeak and Kathy Kumfer — Fourth place.

Sabrina Turner and Sandy Hunter — Fourth place.

Robert Svinarich and Martha Sullivan — Bronze.

Bowers using a ramp were:

Brian Bierly — Fourth place

Lori Kiefer — Fourth place

Lori Pifer was the coach.

Bocce

Bocce participants in the traditional two and four person teams were:

Jerry Davis and Christina Messer — Gold.

Ruby French and Steve Slater — Gold.

Mike Parker and Stephen Troyer — Gold.

Norm McPeak and Gail Venator — Gold.

Walter Holtz and Wayne Momeyer — Gold.

Cheryl Lewis and Ron Taylor — Fourth place.

Walter Holtz, Wayne Momeyer, Cheryl Lewis and Ron Taylor — Silver.

Jerry Davis, Christina Messer, Mike Parker, Stephen Troyer — Gold.

Ruby French, Christina Messer, Norm McPeak and Gail Venator — Silver.

Coaches were Lucinda Conley and Kerry Coulter

Becky Walls, Kosciusko County coordinator for Special Olympics, thanks the coaches and many volunteers that helped make this annual event possible. It was truly an enriching and fun experience for all.

Walls also would like to announce practice will start at 5:30 p.m. July 30 at Center Lake Park, for flag football and corn toss as fall sports begin.

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