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Sussex Riptide athletes shine at Special Olympics Summer Games

Poor air quality cancels Saturday outdoor events
Sussex Riptide’s Mark Kelly makes his third lift of 230 pounds in the deadlift competition. He took the silver medal in the event. He also made a bench press of 135 pounds. Spotting Kelly is Eric Neil. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 21, 2025

The 54th Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games were held at the University of Delaware June 13-14, when more than 940 athletes and unified partners were scheduled to compete in six different sports at this year’s games.

Unfortunately, many of the outdoor events were canceled due to the hazardous air quality, but bocce, tennis and weightlifting were held indoors. 

Healthy Athletes events of Fit Feet and Opening Eyes were also held inside of the UD Fieldhouse. 

For more information about Special Olympics Delaware, go to sode.org.

 

Riptide bocce player Carol Bak rolls the ball for a score.
The Sussex Riptide crew comprises (l-r) coach Jason Stevenson, Mark Kelly, Colin Mullen and coach Tony Summers.
The softball players who represented the Riptide are in back (l-r) Lizzie Shea, Sara Perrotta, Tiffany Schutt, Eric Ketterer and Steve Perrotta. In front are Ryan Hartmeyer, AJ Winnington, Bridgette Perrotta, Taylor Swain and Wayne Coffen. Kneeling is Cailee Layton.
Volunteer Heather Smyth gets a hug from athlete David Dube.
Emily Sharp of the Sussex Riptide squad gets her eyes checked as part of the Healthy Athletes events of Fit Feet and Opening Eyes.
Getting instructions from coach Chuck Wineland are athletes Xavier Zimmer, left, and athlete Christopher Stone.
Sussex Riptide lifter Colin Mullen makes a successful 215-pound lift.
The third annual Fit & Fun Field Day took place June 1, raising $10,000 for Special Olympics Delaware. Proceeds benefit local athletes in their sports activities. Shown are (l-r) unified partner Shayne Van Zee, unified partner Sam Van Zee, Fit & Fun Field Day organizer and SODE volunteer Kristie Van Zee, athlete Justin Daisey, Fit & Fun Field Day organizer and unified partner Heather Smyth, Fit & Fun Field Day organizer and unified partner Lori Smyth, SODE President David Halley, athlete Connor Watson, Uncle David’s Ice Cream/Boardwalk Buddy Walk Executive Director Jim Watson, athlete Suzie Schaible, Sussex Riptide swim coach Cathy Gallagher and unified partner Mila Feathers.
Sussex Riptide’s Mark Kelly shows off his silver medal from the podium.
David Hill of the Newark Dragons lifts 610 pounds to garner the gold in the event. He also had a 430-pound bench press.
Elizabeth Trammell of the Special Olympics Virginia group waves to her fans from the medal podium.
Brittni Ashmead of the MOT Tigers has a successful deadlift.
Dominic Silvestri of the Newark Dragons celebrates a successful deadlift.
Anthony Borreggine of the Wilmington Wizards makes a successful lift.
The Sussex Riptide team celebrates a successful Friday competition. Shown in back are (l-r) Tremaine Johnson, Michael Hartzell, Antonio Bowe, Christian Partlow, Jwalit Patel, Cullen Oliver, Deshawn Syce and Sasha Hudson. In front are coach Jeff Oliver and head coach Rob Bailey. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Katherine Dwyer of the Wilmington Wizards rolls the bocce ball and scores.
Katherine Dwyer of the Wilmington Wizards has a big smile after her bocce roll.
Opening Eyes Clinical Director Don Blackburn displays some eyeglasses available at the event.
Denise Reed and Matt Clendaniel works the glasses table at the event.
Wilmington Wizards athlete Beth Fuhs gets her iPad from volunteer Emma Okonowicz.
The family that bocces together are Linda, Carol and Stan Bak.

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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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