Highland County Special Olympics Wildcats win D III state championship in first year

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Highland County Special Olympics’ (HCSO) Wildcats flag football team traveled to Madison County on Saturday and took part in the first annual flag football state tournament.

The Wildcats won both of their tournament games to claim the D III state title.

The first game of the day for the athletes from Highland County saw the Wildcats take on Westerville in a nail biter.

HCSO earned the victory in the first game by a narrow margin of 22-20.

The second game for the Wildcats was against Lucas County Special Olympics athletes.

The Wildcats won the second game handily by a score of 38-8 to claim the first ever D III state flag football championship.

Highland County was represented by Coach Clint Wharton, Terrell Willis, Timmy Adams, Logan Elliott, Matthew Adams, Wyatt Myers, Nathaniel Adams, Lane Stout, Lannie Hoover, Josh Lamangano, Shawn Eldridge and Cody Slater.

The event was held at the Madison County Board of DD and Fairhaven School.

The tournament featured fourteen teams from across the state in three different divisions.

Highland County Special Olympics Coordinator Nathan Boatman told The Times-Gazette, “This was definitely a great experience for our players and coach. Winning the state title was a big deal for our team. Hearing our players celebrate after the tournament was a defining moment for all of us.”

2017 marked the first year that Special Olympics Ohio has sanctioned flag football for Special Olympics athletes.

The Wildcats played a two game schedule this season prior to attending the state tournament.

HCSO lost both games prior to the tournament to the Fayette County Special Olympics Dragons.

Reach Ryan Applegate at 937-402-2572, or on Twitter @RCApplegate89.

The Wildcats pose with their state championship flag football trophy. Front row (l-r): Terrell Willis, Coach Clint Wharton, Timmy Adams, Logan Elliott, Matthew Adams and Wyatt Myers. Back row (l-r): Nathaniel Adams, Lane Stout, Lannie Hoover, Josh Lamangano, Shawn Eldridge and Cody Slater.
http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/11/web1_HCSO-Flag-Football-2017-Champs-2-.jpgThe Wildcats pose with their state championship flag football trophy. Front row (l-r): Terrell Willis, Coach Clint Wharton, Timmy Adams, Logan Elliott, Matthew Adams and Wyatt Myers. Back row (l-r): Nathaniel Adams, Lane Stout, Lannie Hoover, Josh Lamangano, Shawn Eldridge and Cody Slater. Submitted Photo

By Ryan Applegate

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