Sports Offered
We are excited about your interest in Gahanna Special Olympics and the potential of sharing the joy of sport and friendly competition with you or your athlete. Special Olympics offers an opportunity to improve physical fitness, interact with peers and peer models, and participate in a structured, but fun, learning environment.
We offer ten core sports – Basketball, Bocce Ball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cornhole, Golf, Pickleball, Soccer, Swimming, Track & Field, and training for athletes eight years of age and up. We are an all-volunteer organization with approximately 75 volunteers, which include many of our parents & guardians, as well as community members and teachers from local school districts.
GSO sports provide year-round opportunities for our athletes to experience not only the physical benefits of sports training and competition but also to form wonderful friendships. The social relationships built provide a valuable support system and ‘safety net’ for our athletes and their families.
To participate with GSO, each new athlete must have a medical form completed and signed by the athlete’s physician, providing consent for that athlete to participate safely in physical activity. In addition, all athletes must have a signed copy of our Code of Conduct and Organizational Expectations on file.

Head Coaches: Brian Matthews, Steven Price, Erik Wilson
When: Winter
Prerequisite: None for Skills; Must have fundamental skills and basic knowledge of the game for Team Basketball
Competitions:
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Team Basketball games vs. other Central Ohio Teams
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Area Basketball Individual Skills Tournament - January
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State Winter Games (The Ohio State University) - February

Bocce Ball
Head Coach: Jenn Seigel
When: Spring
Prerequisite: None
Competitions: None- Practice Only

Head Coach: John Carper
When: Spring
Where: Gahanna Lanes – 215 W Johnstown Road Gahanna
Prerequisite: None
Competitions: Regionals and Summer State Games
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Cheerleading
Head Coach: Emma Thomas
When: Fall/Winter
Prerequisite: None
Competitions: None but cheerleaders cheer at numerous basketball games
Head Coach: Brian Matthews
When: Summer
Where: Royal Manor Elementary
Prerequisite: None
Competitions: None

Golf
Head Coach: Steve Price
When: Summer
Where: Gahanna Golf Course
Prerequisite: None but must provide own Golf Buddy who has a cleared background check on file.
Competitions: None
Cornhole

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Pickleball

Soccer
Head Coach: John Carper
When: Fall/Winter
Prerequisite: Athlete must know how to swim prior to starting training with GSO. GSO does not provide swim lessons.
Competitions:
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Qualifier for State Winter Games - December
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Fun Meet - January
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State Winter Games (The Ohio State University) - February
Events: GSO trains and competes in a number of Aquatics events. Typical events include (but are not limited to):
25M Freestyle 100M Breaststroke
50M Freestyle 200M Backstroke
50M Backstroke 4x25M Medley Relay
25M Fly 4x25M Freestyle Relay
100M Fly 25M Back Stroke
Track & Field
Head Coach: Heather Turner
When: Spring/Summer
Prerequisite: None
Competitions: Track & Field has two qualifying meets and the State Summer Games.
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Qualifiers for Summer Games:
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State Summer Games (Ohio State University) – Late June
Events: GSO trains and competes in a number of track and field (throwing) events. Typical events include (but are not limited to):
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Track
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25M Independent Walk
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25M Wheelchair Race
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50M Dash
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100M Dash
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4×100 Relay
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Field
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Softball Throw
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Mini-Javelin
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Shotput
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Standing Long Jump
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Head Coaches: Jeff Butter & Connor Berry
When: Summer & Early Fall
Prerequisite: None
Competitions:
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Weekly games vs. other Central Ohio teams

Head Coach: Carrie Petry
When: Spring
Prerequisite: None
