Warren County Special Olympics Athletes Win Big at Summer Games

LEBANON, OH -- Special Olympics athletes from the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) won 19 medals after competing in the Ohio Summer Games.

Athletes participated at regionals to qualify for the Ohio Summer Games in May. On June 28, 2024, athletes traveled to Columbus, Ohio, for the state championship. Twelve Warren County athletes competed in track or bowling. The athletes were: 

• Zach Bailey, 40, of Franklin, competed in bowling.
• Kelly Crabtree, 37, of Mason, competed in the women’s shot put and 100-meter dash. She received one gold and one silver medal, respectively.
• Oliver Frisch, 14, of Morrow, competed in the 100-meter dash, softball throw, and was a member of the 4 x 100 relay team. He won two silver medals, one in the 100-meter dash and one in the softball throw.
• Troy Hengle, 16, of Maineville, competed in the 100-meter dash, shot put, and was the anchor in the relay team. He won one bronze medal in the 100-meter dash and one silver medal in shot put.
• Juliya Hopfensperger, 18, of Lebanon, competed in bowling and won a silver medal.
• Carson Hutzel, 27, of Mason, competed in the 100-meter dash, softball throw, and was a member of the 4 x 100 relay team. He won one gold medal for the 100-meter dash and one silver medal for the softball throw.
• Julie Konrad, 56, of Lebanon, competed in the women’s softball throw and the 100-meter dash walk event. She won one bronze medal and one silver medal, respectively.
• Mark Messner, 36, of Lebanon, competed in the 100-meter dash and shot put. He won one silver and one bronze medal, respectively.
• Jakob Rosenthal, 22, of Morrow, competed in the 100-meter dash, shot put, and was a member of the relay team. He won two gold medals, one for the 100-meter dash and one for shot put.
• Tim Schwartz, 61, of Lebanon, competed in bowling and won a silver medal.
• Eric Smucker, 33, of Morrow, competed in bowling and won a gold medal.
• Isabel “Izzy” Thornock, 10, of Mason, competed in the 100-meter dash and softball throw. She won a gold medal in both events.

Congratulations to all Special Olympics athletes! Special Olympics athletes appeared on the Lebanon City Show to discuss their accomplishments.

About the 2024 Ohio Summer Games

Special Olympics Ohio hosts five state competitions and numerous qualifying events each year. The 2024 Ohio Summer Games was held at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and welcomed over 2,700 athletes and 850 coaches. All programs are free for registered athletes. For more information on Special Olympics Ohio, visit sooh.org.

For more information, contact Megan Becker at megan.becker@warrencountydd.org or (859) 653-7445.

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