Local Athletes Win Big at Special
Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival

(Somerset, PA - November 1-3)
A team of four athletes from Somerset County joined 1,000 competitors across Pennsylvania at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Fall Festival at Villanova University, November 1-3.

Somerset County athletes competed in the following sports:
Athletes trained for at least eight weeks to prepare for competition.

Athlete's Name
Placed
PowerLifting
Steve Bisick
First
Second
First
Bench Press
Dead Lift
Combination
Brian Miller
First
First
First
Bench Press
Dead Lift
Combination
John Vinzani
First
First
Third
Bench Press
Dead Lift
Combination
Aaron Younkin
Fourth
Fourth
Fourth
Bench Press
Dead Lift
Combination
 
Athlete's Name
Placed
PowerLifting
Don Penrod
Third
Long
Distance Running

COACHES: Larry Younkin - Powerlifting
Linda Younkin - Long Distance Running
HEAD OF DELEGATION: Diana Vinzani

Opening Ceremonies were held on Friday, November 1, in the Pavilion at Villanova. The evening's festivities included the traditional Parade of Athletes, the lighting of the Special Olympics Torch and upbeat entertainment for athletes and spectators.

Competition began Friday afternoon, ran all day Saturday, and concluded on Sunday morning. In addition to spirited competition, the athletes enjoyed special events like Olympic Village and a Victory Dance. Closing Ceremonies were held at the Pavilion Sunday afternoon.

Special Olympic Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round training and competition in 23 Olympic-type sports to over 25,000 children and adults with mental retardation or closely related developmental disabilities.

For more information about how Special Olympics inspires greatness contact Special Olympics Somerset County.

Special Olympics Somerset County
PO Box 1203
Somerset, PA 15501
Email - sopasomerset@floodcity.net