2017 PHS Special Olympics Team at NJIT. Photo by Ms. Ackerson-Baez

This year’s Special Olympics State Competition was held at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark,

Photo by Mr. Grant

NJ. Before the team departed for their meet, they participated in a torch run through Clifton and Passaic with the town police. The competition was held over the weekend, on June 9, 10, and 11.

Passaic High School’s Special Olympics team said they had a great experience. Thirteen individuals participated; 6 unified athletes and 7 coaches. Bocce Passaic achieved the following: 4 – 4th place, 2 – Bronze, 3 – Silver and 2 – Gold medals. Track Passaic achieved: 1 – 6th place, 1 – 4th place, 2 – Bronze and 1 – Gold medal. “All the athletes performed extraordinarily and displayed excellent sportsmanship” said Ms. Ackerson-Baez, the head PHS Special Olympics coach.

The team would like to acknowledge the staff that gave up their time over the weekend to assist them. “Without the assistance and dedication of Karen Cawthern, Luz Carrillo, Erik Freifeld, Sam Meltzer, Karen Ruchalski and Rashad Whitmire this weekend would not have been possible” said Ackerson-Baez.

Full Results:
Bocce:
Traditional Team Passaic A – Odamis, Gustavo, Jesus F, Lisette – Silver
Traditional Team Passaic B – Maurcio, Juan G, Chris, Jesus T – 4th place
Traditional Doubles Passaic A – Chris, Gustavo – 4th place
Traditional Doubles Passaic B – Odamis, Lisette – Gold
Traditional Doubles Passaic C – Mauricio, Jesus T – Silver
Traditional Doubles Passaic D – Jesus F, Brayton – Silver
Unified Team Passaic A – Lenny, Juan M, Di’Amonique, Rockaya
Unified Doubles Passaic A – Juan G, Bintou – Gold
Unified Doubles Passaic B – Rockaya, Lenny – 4th place
Unified Doubles Passaic C – Juan M, Di’Amonique – Silver
Unified Doubles Passaic D – Brayton, Dashani – 4th place
Track:
100m Dash
Gonzalo – 6th place
Jonathan – Bronze
Shot Put
Gonzalo – 4th place
Jonathan – Bronze
Unified Relay
Gonzalo, Jonathan, Alex, Angie – Gold

Photos by Mr. Grant The PHS Special Olympics Team, along with the spring Track Team, and PHS staff, participated in a torch run through Passaic and Clifton. Photo by Mr. Grant