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Belmont County competitor Stevie Rawlins takes a throw during a bocce tournament at the Sons of Italy Bellaire headquarters Saturday. Tuscarawas County competitor Carter McConnell, right, prepares to go next.
BELLAIRE -- Dedicated athletes competed in a bocce tournament Saturday when the Sons of Italy hosted a Special Olympics event as teams from Belmont and Tuscarawas counties squared off in the traditional Italian game.
The tournament began at 10 a.m. and continued until about 3 p.m. One of the Tuscarawas men's teams won the tournament, with a Tuscarawas women's team winning silver and a Belmont men's team taking the bronze.
"It is going fabulous," said Frank Fregiato, adding the Special Olympics Committee and the Sons of Italy jointly commissioned a T-shirt to commemorate the event.
"We're real proud to be not only promoting our Italian heritage with bocce, but we're also helping the Belmont County Special Olympics in Belmont County, Ohio, and actually elsewhere, also," he said, adding that this year commemorates a landmark for the Sons of Italy. "We're doing it in honor of our 100-year anniversary and we're looking forward to working with the Special Olympics for future events."
Fregiato said there were about 35 athletes altogether.
Pam Fabry of Martins Ferry was one of the competitors from Belmont County. She has played the game for six years and has placed second at the state level.
"It's fun and you meet a lot of nice people," she said.
"It's pretty neat," said Sally Smith, another Belmont County competitor from Martins Ferry, adding she practices regularly. She said she plans to compete again at an upcoming tournament in Fairpoint.
"Belmont County has four teams here today, and Tuscarawas has five teams," said Virgil Yingling, local coordinator for Belmont County. "We started out trying to play one team from Belmont against one team from Tuscy, and eventually in the double elimination sometimes you get a Tuscarawas team playing a Tuscarawas team and a Belmont team playing a Belmont team."
Yingling noted the hard work of the athletes pays off.
"The one two-man team that goes all the way to the end will win the gold medal," he said.
Yingling's wife, Cecilia, also said the venue was enjoyable.
"We're thrilled to be here today. What they have done for us at the Sons of Italy is absolutely wonderful," she said. "They've treated everybody absolutely wonderful. We feel so at home."
"Bocce's usually for Special Olympics timelines a spring season sport, but the Sons of Italy have generously offered to host a tournament," said Richelle Lefler, local coordinator for Tuscarawas County. "It's just been a great opportunity for our athletes to get back together since they haven't seen each other since the spring, and brush up some of their skills for bocce. They've enjoyed the tournament."
She complimented the atmosphere of the Sons of Italy bocce court.
"We're appreciative to Virgil and Belmont County and the Sons of Italy for the opportunity. We would definitely come back. We think this has been an excellent experience," Cecilia Yingling said.
Doug Hartleib, president of the Sons of Italy, said the organization was happy to host the event.
"The Olympians are having a great time. They're doing real well," he said. "We're glad to have them here. We're glad to host this event. It's a great honor to do this. We will definitely do it next year."
Betty Frohnapfel, mother of Adam Passmore, one of the athletes from Martins Ferry, noted the accomplishments the athletes have made.
"He's played for three years, went to state and come second both times," she said. "We're going to work toward another state (tournament). Adam works pretty hard at bocce."
"I'm around people and meet new friends," Adam said of the event.
The next Belmont County Special Olympics event will be a steak fry fundraiser Sept. 24 at the Fairpoint Polish Club. Anyone interested may contact he Yinglings at 740 391-3941.