2019 Fall Games – Day 2 Recap
Thrilling competitions closed out the 2019 Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games on Sunday. More than 800 athletes brought their 'A' game in hopes of ...
What They’re Saying at the 2019 Fall Games – Day 1
Special Olympics Southern California athletes, coaches, volunteer, supporters, and more, had plenty to say Saturday as the 2019 Fall Games got underway in Fountain Valley. “I’m with my bestie and we do this together as a team.” -Shelby Van Zant, 29, volleyball player for Inland Empire Mojave River Rogue “We have been an eight-year national ...
INSIDE SOSC: The Success Behind Team Wolfpack
By Marvin Poquiz Team Wolfpack is a long-time supporter of Special Olympics Southern California and they made history at the Plane Pull event earlier this year. This group of 25, plus one SOSC athlete, pulled a 124,000-pound plane for 12 feet in just 4.34 seconds, setting a new event record. Once the Plane Pull event was announced throughout social ...
INSIDE SOSC: Inspiration Knows No Bounds
More than 180 athletes took part in soccer, softball, tennis and skills competitions at the 2019 North Divisional Fall Games last Saturday in Santa Maria. For athletes like Maria Sandoval of Santa Maria, the competitions represent more than just a game. The 56-year-old is often smiling, laughing and even encouraging those she competes against. On ...
INSIDE SOSC: Gearing Up for Fall Games
In less than a month, athletes through Southern California will convene in Fountain Valley for the annual Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games championship event. Until then, the athletes have been honing their skills in regional competitions. Four events took place this past weekend and WeAreSOSC.org was in attendance at competitions in Perris and South ...
INSIDE SOSC: Central Coast Hosts Plane Pull
Ten teams of 15 people tested their strength at the Central Coast Airfest and Band of Brothers ECHO Group came out on top at the Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara Plane Pull in Santa Maria last Saturday. Much like the annual Long Beach Plane Pull event, teams raised funds and competed to see which team ...
INSIDE SOSC: Fun and Games Aplenty
Hundreds of Special Olympics Southern California athletes took in back-to-back days of competition and fun this past weekend. Six separate competitions were hosted throughout Southern California last Saturday, including soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball games at the Orange County Regional Fall Games at the Santa Ana Public Schools Sports Complex. The following day, many made ...
INSIDE SOSC: Volunteer Referee Makes the Right Call
By Ryan Lefever Being a referee, you have to make the right call at the right time and for Harlan Gathright, making the call to get involved with Special Olympics Southern California was one that he would not challenge . Harlan has been officiating basketball for over 30 years, and the love and passion for ...
INSIDE SOSC: Westside Runner Keeps Legs, Determination Moving
Auna Pines has proven to not only be brave in the attempt, but persistent enough to turn a no into a yes. The Special Olympics Westside athlete has been a runner since the age of 12. She’s taken a liking to long-distance races. Her motivation, however, was fueled when she did not qualify within the ...
INSIDE SOSC: Fall Season, Fundraisers Get Underway
Special Olympics athletes across Southern California are preparing to close out the 2019 competition calendar. The fall season consists of five sports: golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Among the competitions on the event calendar, the North (Oct. 26) and Central (Oct. 19) divisions will host respective Divisional Fall Games competitions. The season will culminate ...
Global Messenger Touted for Outreach
By Emma Lee Long Beach/Whittier athlete Jared Kozak was presented with the Richard L. Van Kirk Outstanding Outreach Achievement Award at Special Olympics Southern California's Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. Presented annually since 2001, the award is named after Special Olympics Southern California’s first president. After passing away in November 2018, his son now ...