Approximately 130 athletes around Southern California were ready for the intense, physical open to the floor hockey season Saturday at Escondido Sports Complex.
Athletes from the Inland Empire, Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley, Orange County, Santa Clarita and San Diego regions battled on a pair of courts. Among the gold medal recipients in separate divisions were the host San Diego Gulls and Red Wings and Pomona Valley.
“[Special Olympics teaches us about] being able to work with one another,” said Ryan Woods, a Special Olympics athlete for seven years and member of the Gulls. “It also helps keep me healthy and stay in shape.”
Ryan was on the same Gulls team that was selected to the 2017 Special Olympics Winter World Games in Austria.
Standout volunteers included lunch providers the Knights of Columbus and five referees, including one who traveled from Arizona to lend his time.
Three more regions will host floor hockey competitions before Special Olympics Southern California’s culminating floor hockey championships, which will take place March 11 in Huntington Beach. Learn more and attend an event near you.
Inside the SOSC is a blog written by staff member Tracy McDannald. It is a more feature-style approach to looking inside what makes Special Olympics Southern California so unique, so special. It is meant to explore the people and their stories. One word at a time.