Schuylkill County Athletes Travel to Penn State for Summer Special Olympics Games

The athletes of the Schuylkill County Special Olympics are currently at Penn State this week for the Pennsylvania Summer Games.

Last Thursday, a pep rally was held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in St. Clair to send off 35 athletes representing Schuylkill County.

The athletes will compete in events that include Golf, Softball, Swimming, Track and Field, and Basketball.

The Pep Rally was attended by over 50 friends, family members, and supporters.

Before the event, fire engines from St. Clair, Cressona, and Mahanoy City helped the athletes parade through St. Clair to the stadium.

As they arrived, they were met by a bagpiper that walked them into the stadium with the Knights of Columbus and a Special Olympics torch.

Miss Pennsylvania 2022 Alysa Bainbridge, Pennsylvania State Representative Jamie Barton, the North Schuylkill Band, the Avenues Duck, and Sparty also attended.

The Schuylkill County athletes will join thousands of other athletes from across Pennsylvania to compete in the games that run from Thursday, June 8th, 2023, to Saturday, June 10th, 2023.

During Friday's basketball game, Schuylkill County native and new Penn State Boys Basketball Coach, Mike Rhoades, will be the team's honorary coach.

Athletes competing this weekend include: