(Mason, OH) - The Mason Manta Ray Champions, the Warren County Special Olympics swim team, was honored at the Mason City Council meeting on March 9, 2026.

Coach Debbie Newman began her presentation, which took place during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, by inviting the swimmers to stand. The jingling of the gold, silver, and bronze medals filled the room as the swimmers gathered front and center at the Mason City Council meeting.

This is the fourth swim season for the Mason Manta Ray Champions, who range in age from 10 to 41. The team started with 14 members. Today, the team has 26 swimmers. 

Newman shared that the Champions won 12 gold medals, seven silver medals, and four bronze medals after competing in theOhio Winter Gameson the weekend of February 21, 2026. Swimmers competed in freestyle, breaststroke, individual medley, backstroke, and as members of a 4x25 relay team. 

Newman also gave a special shoutout to Athlete Kelly Crabtree, 38, of Mason, who earned three medals: gold as part of the 4x25 relay team, silver in the 100-meter freestyle, and silver for breaststroke. Crabtree will be representing Ohio at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota this summer.

In addition to honoring the Mason Manta Ray Champions, the city also declared March as Developmental Disabilities Month. Law Director Jeff Forbes read the proclamation that acknowledged the city's partnerships with organizations such as Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Mason Challenger League Baseball, and Mason Allstars basketball as “essential in the city's goal to provide continued support and opportunities for community members with developmental disabilities to enjoy a high quality of life in Mason.”

The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Megan Manuel attended the meeting to share a brief history of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, provide information about the services offered by the agency, and to thank the City of Mason.

“We appreciate the support of Mason residents and Mason City Council and for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in our community,” Manuel said. “Your leadership helps the people we serve to feel and to be included.”

Manuel thanked the city for helping to develop Makino Park into an accessible and inclusive place for children to play, including an accessible restroom with an adult changing table, an accessible playground, and two adaptive baseball fields. The land Makino Park was developed on was donated by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Manuel said, “We couldn’t imagine a better use of this land.”

The Mason Challenger League plays baseball at Makino Park each Saturday during the season. Mason Challenger League President Jennifer Christmas and league players were invited to attend the council meeting in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“The Challenger League’s mission is to allow individuals with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball by adapting the game to each athlete's abilities,” Christmas said. “This would not happen without the support of the city and all of the volunteer coaches, buddies, parent helpers, board members, and all those who volunteer with us.”

The Mason City Council also invited Coach Rob Auriana to share information about the Mason Allstars special needs basketball team. Auriana, who described himself as a 23-year resident of Mason and a proud father of three girls, said he started the team for his eldest daughter, Jordan, to have a place to play with her friends. 

The team has grown from 17 athletes to 120. Auriana described the team as a place to be yourself, support peers, learn new skills, and develop a competitive edge. 

“Our practice and games are an opportunity of fellowship, exercise, and fun. It's time when our athletes can be surrounded by their peers, free from the pressures they sometimes face in the outside world,” Auriana said. “The people who deserve the credit are the coaches, their assistants, and volunteers. These individuals are responsible for creating a community that I am proud to be part of.”

The Mason City Council also used the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month meeting to introduce the Blue Envelope Program that aims to improve communication between law enforcement and individuals with developmental disabilities during traffic stops. 

Drivers can store essential documents in the envelope, such as their driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance card. During a traffic stop, a driver can hand the blue envelope to the officer, signaling that they may need additional time or different communication approaches.

Community members can obtain blue envelopes and related materials at the following locations:

• The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Warren C. Young Center, 801 Drake Road in Lebanon
• Mason Police Department, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road in Mason
• Fire Station 51, 4420 Mason-Montgomery Road in Mason
• Fire Station 52, 5500 Cedar Village Drive in Mason
• Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road in Mason

The evening highlighted Mason’s dedication to promote inclusion, opportunity, and belonging for Warren County residents with developmental disabilities.

For more information, contact Megan Becker at Megan.Becker@WarrenCountyDD.org or (859) 653-7445.

About The Warren County Special Olympics

The Warren County Special Olympics offers children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities an athletic challenge at their skill level. All athletes in Warren County participate in the program free of charge.

The Warren County Special Olympics offers a wide range of sports, including:

• Athletics/ Track and Field
• Basketball
• Bocce Ball
• Cheerleading
• Floor hockey
• Softball
• Swimming

Each year, Warren County Special Olympics athletes travel to Columbus to compete in the Special Olympics Summer Games and Winter Games, as well as numerous qualifying events.

The agency also offers recreational athletic activities, including bowling, tennis, soccer, and cornhole.

For more information about Warren County Special Olympics, please contact Rhonda Schutte at  Rhonda.Schutte@WarrenCountyDD.org or (513) 806-3809.