Special Olympics swimmers compete at Regionals

Nine Miami County Special Olympics swimmers competed at the Special Olympics Ohio Southwest Regional Swimming Tournament. This was held Saturday, January 25, at Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA in Cincinnati.

Miami County swimmers won the following places in the tournament: Camille Barrera placed third in the 25-meter freestyle. Maggie Bondurant placed fifth in the 50-meter butterfly and 50-meter freestyle. Jamie Campbell placed second in the 25-meter backstroke and sixth in the 50-meter freestyle. Johnnie Dennis placed first in the 25-meter freestyle. Ethan Hews placed third in the 50-meter freestyle and sixth in the 50-meter backstroke. Justine Hoffmann placed second in the 25-meter freestyle. Caleb Karnehm placed first in the 50-meter breaststroke and second in the 100-meter freestyle. Nicholas Weaver placed third in the 25-meter freestyle and third in the 50-meter freestyle. Elliott Woodward-Roeth placed fourth in the 25-meter freestyle.

All swimmers advanced to the State Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, March 8 at The Ohio State University. Miami County Special Olympics would like to thank local donors, who make these opportunities possible for the athletes.

Miami County Special Olympics is managed by the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities as an affiliate of Special Olympics Ohio and the internationally recognized Special Olympics organization. Miami County Special Olympics offers a wide variety of year-round individual and team sports for anyone with an intellectual disability, ages eight and older. Sports included are basketball, softball, volleyball, cheerleading, powerlifting, golf, bowling and swimming.

Each program promotes athletes' emotional, physical and social health and instills a strong work-ethic and sense of teamwork. Through successful experiences, athletes build confidence and a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, jobs and community. For more information about Miami County Special Olympics or how to volunteer, visit miamicountydd.org or call (937) 440-3000.