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Dare County Special Olympics is thriving.

Sandy Pace, local program coordinator, told the Dare County Board of Commissioners 22 athletes attended the State Games and came home with medals in track, swimming and bowling.

She thanked the volunteer coaches helping 140 athletes. The Dare program invites athletes from Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck and Tyrrell to participate.

The program starts training for the games in January and February. “We’ve had a busy year,” said Pace as she ticked off tournaments held away from and in Dare County. Every person has an opportunity to compete.

Pace thanked the numerous coaches and Dare County for the use of facilities.

This year, the Polar Plunge – the signature fundraising event for the program – raised $58,000, just about what it costs to run the program. Next year’s Polar Plunge is set for Feb. 28, 2026.

At the State Games, these athletes excelled:

Athletics, Track & Field

Chase Markham: Silver 100 meter Dash; Gold in Mini Javelin Throw

Michael Manning: Gold 100 meter Dash

Allison Holland: Bronze 100 meter Dash; Silver in Long Jump

Hallie Huggins: Gold 100 meter Dash

Jayvyn Garcia-Ricardez: Gold 100 meter Dash

Owen Snowden: 4th Place 200 meter Dash, Gold Long Jump

Seth Coalsen: Silver 200 meter Dash

Swimming

Zeke Durren: Silver Medal 50yd Backstroke; Silver Medal 50yd Breaststroke; 4th Place 50yd Freestyle

Reid Johnson: Gold Medal 50yd Freestyle; Silver Medal 200yd Freestyle; Bronze Medal 100yd Freestyle

Andrew Bonanni: Gold Medal 100yd Freestyle; Gold Medal 50yd Backstroke; Silver Medal 100yd Backstroke

Jake Slagle: Gold Medal 100yd Butterfly; Gold Medal 100yd Breaststroke; Bronze Medal 100yd Freestyle

Bowling

Dorothy Patton: Bronze Medal

Caroline Parks: 4th Place

Andrew Martz: Bronze Medal

Ronnie Speciale: Bronze Medal

E.J. Koeleveld: Silver Medal

Channing Skinner: Silver Medal

Mike Butler: 6th Place

Amanda Warren: 6th Place

Lance White: 7th Place

Lisa Marion: 5th Place

Kasey Fairley: 8th Place

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