The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games may have concluded, but Hamilton’s pride for its hometown Special Olympic athletes continues.
Mayor Kelly Yaede honored the Hamiltonians who participated in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games with a special, private ceremony for the athletes and coaches and their immediate families at the township’s Senior Center.
From June 14 through 21, the Mercer County region hosted the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. Overall, the games were estimated to host 3,500 athletes from around the country, who competed in 16 sports, before tens of thousands of fans and volunteers.
In total, Hamilton was represented by 15 athletes, one partner and two coaches at the games.
Hamilton’s Specials Olympic athletes are Kristopher Boros (baseball), Michael Conte (baseball), Roberto Hernandez (triathlon), Laura Kasper (tennis), Ann Marie Lammerding (aquatics), Salvatore Masterpole (aquatics), Mary Lee Morgante (aquatics), Richard Opsuth (softball), Kelly O’Sullivan (cycling), Richard Pingitor (baseball), Sean Reese (unified softball), Patrick Rhoads (soccer), John Rosati (power lifting), Tommy Smith (unified softball) and Aimee Tiscione (triathlon).
Resident Benjamin Kraml served as a partner in unified softball, Michele Horner coached tennis and James Rossi coached unified softball.
The honorees and their families were treated to pizza and ice cream; and then each Special Olympic athlete and coach received special proclamations from the mayor and council, a special citation which featured a picture of each honoree, an official Hamilton Township pin, as well as individual gift bags including gift cards, coupons, certificates for the Hamilton Golf Center, two T-shirts and a water bottle.
