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Special Olympics holds fall festival at DE Turf

Tony Bowe of the Sussex Riptide won the 5K at the 50th Special Olympics Delaware Fall Festival at DE Turf. He and his brother Michael were recently inducted into the SODE Hall of Fame. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 23, 2021

Special Olympics athletes from all around Delaware gathered at the DE Turf complex Friday, Nov. 5 for their 50th Special Olympics Delaware Fall Festival. It was the first time the festival was held at the Frederica complex.

JPMorgan Chase Bank was the sponsor for the event and brought 200 volunteers for the event.

Over 380 athletes fought off the windy and chilly conditions and competed in the sports of Bocce, soccer, football and a 5k run. Football, soccer and bocce were held in a round robin format. Over 300 total volunteers and more that 55 coaches helped organize and run the event.

For more information on the event go to SODE.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sussex Riptide goalie Matthew Carroll makes one of hi s many saves in the game with the Kats.
Sussex Riptide’s Austin Jewel, right, controls the ball on the sideline while the Kent Wild Kats Asa Mabane plays defense.
Sussex Riptide’s Spencer Carrillo, right, controls a high bouncer from the Kent Wild Kats’ Asa Mabane.
Kent Wild Kats forward Isaac Lowery, left, boots the ball away from the MOT Tiger’s Brianna Hamilton.
Newark Dragons’ quarterback Nick Godwin looks for an open receiver down field.
Newark Dragons wide receiver Brandon Thompson pulls in a Nick Godwin pass for a long gain.
Wilmington Wizards receiver Terry Fields, right, avoids the flag pull of Tony Haigler of the Kent Wild Kats.
Wilminghton Wizards defender Frank Sammons, right, goes for the flag pull of the Kent Wild Kats receiver Jaquan Butcher.
Kent Wild Kats striker Justin Aloia speeds on a fast break to the Riptide goal.
Wendi Revels of the Sussex Riptide rolls the bocce toward the pallino.
Samantha Cox of the Wilmington Wizards scores some points for her team during the Bocce event.
Robert Smith of the Mighty Marlins rolls the bocce.
Sussex Riptide’s Alex Sklar rolls the bocce for points while Sussex Riptide coach Caryn Steakley, left, David Peronti, Reggie Miller and Bocce Director Stan Bak looks on.
Newark Dragons athlete Bobby Ginsberg rolls the bocce while SODE volunteer Deb Seifer assists.
The gun sounds to start the 5k run.
Abby Galiardo of the Newark Dragons waves to her fans at the start of the 5k.
Sasha Hudson of the Sussex Riptide runs the 5K.
Creston Campbell of the Wilmington Wizards runs to the finish in the 5K.
Eric DiSabatino of the Newark Dragons is cheered on by Polytech students Matalie Gaskill and Jourdyn Johnson.
Caroline Oberle rolls the bocce as volunteer Stan Bak looks on.
Riptide runner Ginger Shaud runs the 5K.
Michael Bowe displays his gold medal won for the walk. He and his brother Tony wewre recently inducted into the Special Olympics Delaware Hall of Fame.
Sussex Riptide competitive walker Eric Oberender is proud of his medal won during the walk event.
Sussex Riptide soccer stars (l-r) Wayne Coffin, Jerome Watson and Spencer Carrillo rest after a big win.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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