(Columbus, OH) – During the last weekend of May 2026, 19 Special Olympics athletes from the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities brought home 14 medals while competing in bocce, bowling, and track and field events at the 2026 Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Bocce is the newest sport offered by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. In Warren County’s first attempt at competing at the state level, two athletes, David Werner and Matthew Hampel, received gold medals while competing in bocce doubles.

Warren County Community Integration Coordinator Rhonda Schutte emphasized that competing in the Summer Games is much more than one weekend of commitment. It requires months of weekly practices and competing in regional competitions.

• Cason Clay earned a gold medal in mini javelin and a silver medal in the 100-meter dash.
• Oliver Frisch, 15, of Morrow, earned a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash, placed 4th for the softball throw, and placed 7th as a member of the 4x100 relay team.
• Matthew Hampel, 32, of Mason, earned a gold medal while competing in bocce doubles with David Werner.
• Juliya Hopfensperger, 20, of Lebanon, earned a bronze medal in bowling.
• Carson Hutzel, 29, of Mason, placed 5th in the 100-meter dash, 6th in the softball throw, and placed 7th as a member of the 4x100 relay team.
• Jakob Jordan, 24, of Morrow, placed 5th in the 100-meter dash, 7th in shot put, and 7th as a member of the 4x100 relay team.
• Manjot Kaur, 16, of Mason, earned a silver medal competing in bocce doubles with Arlynn Rapin.
• Julie Konrad, 58, of Lebanon, earned a bronze medal in the softball throw and placed 4th in the 100-meter walk.
• Selina Mays, 21, of Lebanon, earned a gold medal in bowling.
• Maddox McCart, 18, of Lebanon, earned a silver medal in bocce doubles with his brother, Xander McCart.
• Xander McCart, 15, of Lebanon, earned a silver medal in bocce doubles with his brother, Maddox McCart.
• Mark Messner, 38, of Lebanon, earned a gold medal in shot put and a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash.
• Arlynn Rapin, 16, of Mason, earned a silver medal competing in bocce doubles with Manjot Kaur.
• Brendan Rose placed 4th for bocce doubles with Elias Ventura.
• Tim Schwartz, 63, of Lebanon, earned a gold medal in bowling.
• Elias Ventura, 28, of Loveland, placed 4th for bocce doubles with Brendan Rose.
• David Werner, 41, of Mason, earned a gold medal for bocce doubles with Matthew Hampel.

In total, 19 Warren County athletes brought home 6 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 4 bronze medals. Thank you to all 2,500 athletes, 675 coaches, and 175 volunteers who made the 2026 Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games possible.

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

Fundraising for Warren County Special Olympics

Leading up to the Ohio Summer Games, law enforcement agencies and Special Olympics athletes carried the torch across the state for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The “Flame of Hope” torch represents inclusion and unity as the community comes together to support individuals with disabilities. 

Organized by Sergeant Kennon Coleman of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the local run kicked off at the Franklin Police Department and wrapped up at the Austin Landing Kroger. Along the way, Special Olympics athlete Zach Bailey and his family provided water and cooling towels to the runners.

Coleman’s Law Enforcement Torch Run team raised around $1,000 to support the Warren County Special Olympics athletes. Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run!

For more information, contact Community Relations Coordinator Claire Bishop at Claire.Bishop@WarrenCountyDD.org or (513) 335-1026. 

About Warren County Special Olympics

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.

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 Special Olympics, please contact Community Integration Coordinator Rhonda Schutte at rhonda.schutte@warrencountydd.org or (513) 806-3809.