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 seven core sports – Basketball, Bocce Ball, Bowling, Flag Football, 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.
Have a potential athlete who isn’t yet eight years old? Don’t worry! We have a Youth Development Program to provide motor skill training for younger athletes (3-8 yrs. old).
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 Coach: Jill Evans
When: Winter
Where: OneChuch
Prerequisite: None
Competitions:
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Area Basketball Individual Skills Tournament - January
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State Winter Games (Bowling Green State University) - February
Bocce Ball
Head Coach: Jenn Seigel
When: Spring/Summer
Where: TBA
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
Soccer
Head Coach: Tori Walker and Stacy Siegel
When: Fall
Where: Jefferson Country Club
Prerequisite: Headley Park
Competitions:
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Fun Meet
Track & Field
Head Coach: Corey Dubin
When: Winter
Where: TBA
Prerequisite: None
Competitions: None -Practice Only
Head Coach: John Carper
When: Fall/Winter
Where:TBA
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 (Bowling Green 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
Head Coach: Heather Turner
When: Spring/Summer
Where (Coach Heather will confirm location before the start of the season):
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Gahanna Middle School West 350 N. Stygler Rd.
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OR Middle School East – 730 Clotts Rd.
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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Columbus Classic (Whetstone High School Columbus, OH) – Early May
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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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