The Tyrone Area High School Unified Bocce Team opens its second season as a varsity sport today at Mount Union. The match begins at 4 pm in the Mount Union High School gymnasium.
New head coaches Sarah Latchford and Shannon Davis are excited for the upcoming season.
“I’m really looking forward to being a part of a team. This is the first time I have coached a team at Tyrone. This group of kids seems to really mesh and I look forward to watching them grow as teammates,” Latchford said.
Unified Bocce is an inclusive co-ed high school varsity sport that brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities in a competitive environment. It is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Special Olympics and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).
When the PIAA first teamed up with Special Olympics eleven years ago to offer unified sports, there were just 10 competing schools. Last season Pennsylvania led the nation in school participation with almost 300 teams.
After several close losses last year, the team is determined to get their first win as a program today. They have set a team goal to make the playoffs, with the ultimate goal of the state championships in Hershey in March.
While the team is competitive and will work hard for wins, the emphasis is always on teamwork, inclusion, and sportsmanship.
“Bocce is a great opportunity for all students to be involved in their school and enjoy what all athletes get to be a part of – friendships, teamwork, and success,” Davis said.
Returning members from last season are junior Piper Myers, and seniors Mike Mingle and Caleb LeVanish.
Mingle, a fan favorite, is happy to see a lot of new teammates coming in and giving the team a feeling of positive energy.
“I am excited to go to the other schools and play Bocce with them,” Mingle said.
The newcomers are freshmen Sarah Dale, Caydence Dickson, Emma Myers, Rudy Mckenna, Cooper Spicer, Kendall Stathes, and Aiden Zaker.
“It’s been a lot of fun so far. The people on the team are really nice and I am looking forward to our first match tonight,” freshman Emma Myers said.
First-year player Aiden Zaker is also excited for the season. According to Zaker, his goal is to help the team get to Hershey in just their second season.
After tonight’s season opener, the team’s next match will be at home on January 13 against Huntingdon.
