2023 Special Olympics Florida State Fall Classic
Nov. 10-14, 2023 ESPN Wide World of Sports
Flag Football
Coral Shores Hurricanes (Coach Connor Dixon) competed in a 2-game bracket, in the Senior Level 3 division bringing home a sliver medal. “I am incredibly proud of my team, made up of new players this year. We won ne our first game 12-0, and in an intense second game went down by 5 points, to bring home the silver. Team captains, Jourdynn Mosses, Zergio Ornelas, Ayden Lane and Lucas Carballo led our team into victory. Thank you to all of Monroe coaching team and parents who supported us.”
Key West Conchs Traditional Master Level 4 (Coach Angel Torres) “The Conchs played a 2 game bracket, bringing home the GOLD! Final Game was 20-0, with all players catching passes and touch downs made by QB- Nelson Alejandrez, QB- Dustin Eamilio, Jennie Wasserman, Benny Valdez, Vincent Janecka and Jude Marceau.Our Defense was on fire! The team was clicking on all cylinders.”
Key Largo School Tornadoes – Level 4 Jr. Unified division – Competed in a 2 game bracket, brining home a silver medal, “They came out blazing 30-7 victory in the first game, led by multiple receiving touchdowns on offense and multiple interceptions on defense, led by team captain Dylan Duran. Offense was in sync with Ryland Dixon and Gavin Guazelli calling the plays. Defense was unstoppable led by Timothy Tyler and AJ Llanes. The final game was a nail bitter, were the Tornados were ultimately defeated 18-12 in an amazing showdown. Silver medals and amazing medals were brought home to Key Largo School. “ - Coach Jordan Lombard
Powerlifting- Coach Erin Hamilton
Heyden Fenney- Community athlete- Male Combo- Bench, Deadlift, Squat)- 1st place- 4th place- combined lifts of over 800 lbs! Bench was 110kg, 242 lbs. Squat- 107.5 kg-237 lbs, Deadlift-182.5 kg-402lbs
Laila Jones- Coral Shores High Hurricanes- Deadlift Only 4th place
Cornhole- Demo- First time the sport has been played in Special Olympics – this state game qualified the sport for sanction and is officially one of our games going forward
Treasure Village Sea Dragons Unified Team- Unified Doubles team- Serenity Magee and Greyson Mack- Gold medal - Head Coach Cricket Magee
Key Largo School Tornados Unified Team- Unified Doubles Brian Leffler and James McCaffey- Gold -Head Coach Regina Butler
Horace O’Bryant Buccaneers- Unified Doubles Team- Marvins Fils Aime and Kaden Savedra- Gold - Coach Karen Unified Leach
Inspirational Awards- Each year our Sports/Training/Competition Manager, Ruth Coleman, awards an athlete, partner and coach. Each of these people have inspired all of us throughout the season, leading their teams with exceptional sportsmanship. They were recognized with a medal and t-shirt at Opening Ceremonies.
Inspirational Athlete- Nelson Alejandrez- Key West Conchs
Inspirational Partner- Ryland Dixon- Key Largo Tornados
Inspirational Coach- Connor Dixon- Coral Shores Hurricanes
During the 4 days at ESPN our athletes experienced an Opening Ceremonies with fireworks and a Victory Dance, along with Healthy Athletes Screenings. The State Games provides so much more then sports, giving the athletes enriching life experiences. We are grateful to the organizations who have helped us throughout 2023, Ocean Reef Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys with their generous grant funds that provide for all travel. We also thank our law enforcement partners, Key West Police Department and Monroe County Sherriff for their escorts for our buses, enabling us to leave the keys safely and arrive in Orlando on time.
