SONY Winter Games Thrive in Perfect Winter Weather

The Special Olympics New York Winter Games were held in Syracuse from February 10-12. The weather could not have been more perfect for the ski and snow shoeing events which were held at Salmon Hills and Toggenburg.

Opening Ceremonies were held at the Driver’s Village Conference Center in Cicero complete with snowflakes, balloons and snowmen blow-ups to set the mood. ARC of Monroe’s Gregory Street Blues Band entertained the athletes many of whom danced in the aisles to their music. Some of the members of the band are also Special Olympics athletes who recently performed in the cast of Beauty and the Beast. New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega emceed the opening Ceremonies and introduced the sponsor reps who were on board. The Winter Games were presented by P&C – Your Kind of Store.

Over one thousand athletes and coaches participated in seven Olympic-style events including floor hockey, floor hockey skills, figure and speed skating, alpine and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. The Oncenter Complex was host to the Floor Hockey events and Olympic Village.

The Special Olympics Genesee Region contingent was led by Al Royter, Head of Delegation; Linda Steinmetz, Assistant HOD; Head Coaches; Steve Marshall, Rick Latko, Marion Houck, Tracie Johnson, Martha Pachuta and Laurie Kennedy. Larry Johnson filled the role as emergency transportation coordinator, technical delegate and 24 hour logistical Trouble Shooter.

The Genesee Region’s athlete contingent was full of spirit. In the Floor Hockey Competition athletes from the Genesee Region worked hard to achieve their goals. Lifetime Assistance, under coaches Pat Dadey and Adolph Dupree took first place in division 5, a game that was very competitive. Carol Earl’s Elsmere Eagles Floor Hockey team took first place in division four. Steve Marshall’s Finger Lakes Sabres team took 3rd place while Martha Pachuta’s Rockets took 4th place. In the Floor Hockey Skills Competition Steuben ARC’s athletes were Frederick Davis, Autumn Edwards, David Kotch, Natalie Ralson, John Robinson, Peter Spak and Derek Lee Willis. Genesee Livingson and Wyoming Training Clubs were represented by Jeremy Amato and Josiah Lane.

Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing took place at Salmon Hills in Redfield. Steuben ARC athletes who competed in snowshoeing were Monica Youngs who took 2nd place in the 100 and 400 Meter race; Kimberly Adams who took 1st place in the 100M and 2nd in the 50M; John Errington who took two 2nd places in the 100 and 400M race; Howard Gould took 3rd and 4th place in the 100 and 200M Race and Margaret Stilwell who place 3rd in the 100 and 400 Meter Race.

Cross Country Ski athletes Carmen D’Urbano took 2nd place in the 100M; Adam Joachimiak took 2nd place in his Nordic 100M race; Marcia Hillery took 2nd place in the 50M; Richard Evingham took first place in his Nordic 50M race; Lisa Irwin took 1st place in the 100M Nordic. Steuben ARC skiers David Gardner, Melissa Horton, Catherine Hurd, and Dennis Milliner were led by Melissa Horton in the 50M Classic who took gold in her race.

Alpine Skiers from the Genesee Region showed strong skills. Kenneth Tolle took first place in the Slalom for FLDDSO-DOTY. In the Slalom race representing GLW-Jefferson IRA, Jeremy Schenk took first place and Richard Spencer took 2nd place. Barney Pedraza took 1st place in the Slalom race representing GLW Livingston Wyoming ARC

Lauren DiGiovanni and Stephanie Schultz represented Steve Bloomberg’s team from Monroe County. Schultz took a second place in the giant slalom and 3rd place in the slalom. Lynn Craig, Carl Cicora, Erin Delaney, Steven Kozinsky and Theodore Perry represented Steuben ARC in the Alpine races. Craig took a 1st place in the Giant Slalom, Delaney took first in the Slalom, Kozinsky, took two 2nd places in the giant slalom and slalom and Perry placed second in the Slalom.

Ice Skaters capped off their competition at the War Memorial with CEO, Neal Johnson, the official starter for the speed skating event. Awards, ribbons and medals were also presented by Johnson.. Speed Skater Delmar Simms, took 3rd place in his 100 and 300M race. Tyquil Mitchell took first place in the 500M race and a 2nd place in the 300M Race. Malti Hutchinson took 1st place in the 300M and a 2nd place in the 100M race. Figure skaters Cori Piels took a gold medal in the singles, level 4. Asha Renford took gold in the dance singles, level 1. Special Thanks for the ice skating went to Laurie Kennedy, Gabe Judge for coaching and Holly Judge as the sport director.

Athlete spirit came alive again as they finished the weekend in style at the Victory Celebration Dance held at Driver’s Village