Lucas County Lightning Newsletter
September 2025
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Hello everyone!
We hope this newsletter finds you well and excited for another great sports season! Before registering, please take a moment to read the description for each sport - there are important details you’ll want to know ahead of time.
This newsletter covers both the Adult Program and the Little Lightning Program. The deadline to register for winter sports is Sunday, September 28. You must register by September 28 to participate! Don’t be surprised if the signup page looks a little different — we gave it a makeover with our new system!
Please note: Basketball is the only youth-specific sport. If a Little Lightning athlete (under 17 years old) registers for a sport other than basketball, they will be combined with adult athletes.
On a related note, we have an important update: the 2026 Summer Games will take place earlier than usual, now scheduled for May 29–31 at The Ohio State University. We know this change presents some challenges, but we’ll do everything we can to make the spring season a success... weather permitting, of course!
Also, please note that since the season timelines have changed, our annual banquet will be in March 2026!
| | Winter Sports Opportunities | | | Athletes may register for more than one sport, with a few exceptions. Please note that basketball cannot be combined with any other sport, and competitive cheer and swimming cannot be taken together since their competitions are held at the same time. Be sure to choose carefully when making your selections! | |
To participate in the Lucas County Special Olympics swim program, athletes must be able to swim 25 meters (one full lap) independently, without touching the bottom, holding the side, or using a float.
Practices will take place weekly at St. Francis High School pool (2323 W. Bancroft St., Toledo) beginning October 19, on Sundays from 11 a.m.– noon.
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All basketball registrants 17 and older will need to participate in a screening/tryout before being placed on a team (unless they opt for the Skills Team). This helps our volunteer coaches balance skill levels and divisions to keep games fair and competitive. Please note that all team rosters are capped at 15 players.
If you are not placed on a team, you may be assigned to the Skills Team, which focuses on fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, and passing. Once registration closes, all registered athletes will receive their tryout details by email.
Little Lightning Basketball (athletes 22 and under)
The Little Lightning Team will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 - 7:30pm at Arlington Elementary beginning October 16. Please note that some games will be held on Monday and Wednesdays. Home games will be played at the Horizon School on Sylvania Ave or Proclaim FM off of Angola.
Regionals
Be sure to mark your calendars for basketball regionals (for all teams, but not skills), January 31-February 1. The regional skills basketball competition will be held on a different date and location that the regional basketball tournament. More information to follow.
Also, State Winter Games are February 20-22 at The Ohio State University.
| Pep Squad/Competitive Cheer | |
Love to cheer? Join one of our cheer squads! You can even participate in lifting and still cheer on either squad!
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Pep Squad: After a few practices, cheer at home Special Olympics basketball games throughout the season. Please note: due to limited space at games, participation numbers may be capped.
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Competitive Cheer: Practice weekly, perform at select basketball games, and compete at the State Winter Games in February. Roster sizes are limited, and if needed, we may hold an evaluation day once registration closes.
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Powerlifting is a spring sport, but practices begin well in advance to give athletes plenty of time to train and prepare for the season. Sessions will begin in January 2026.
For safety reasons, athletes must be at least 16 to participate. This year we will be limiting our team to 8-10 athletes at the discretion of the coaches and LCSO staff.
Athletes are encouraged to sign up now and will receive more information closer to January.
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Healthy Athletes is Back!
Ready to move, learn, and grow? Healthy Athletes is a 6-week program that combines fun physical activities with classroom sessions on nutrition, wellness, and sportsmanship. Classes are taught by Exercise Science students at the University of Toledo and their instructor. Athletes can participate in this program as well as lifting or cheer, as their schedules do not conflict.
📍 Location: University of Toledo
📅 Dates: Wednesdays, October 22–December 3 (no class November 26)
🕞 Time: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
👥 Spots are limited to 10–12 athletes
If you’ve joined us before, you’re welcome to sign up again—but priority will go to new participants so everyone has a chance to enjoy this unique experience. Details on parking and drop-off will be shared once registration closes.
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| | *Winter Sports Registration Information* | | | |
Important information! Please read:
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Please direct any questions or concerns directly to Special Olympics staff (not volunteers or coaches... we love them, but we also respect their privacy). Staff members are Kelley Watson, Sherrie Hathaway, Eric Bostelman, Renaldo Carter, Jakob Blanke, and Lori Balogh.
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All athletes are expected to follow the code of conduct. Good sportsmanship is a must!
Questions? Reach out to our staff at specialolympics@lucasdd.org or 419.380.4021.
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Mark these on your calendar!
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Sat, Sept 20 – State Golf Tournament in Galloway, OH, with 7 Lucas County teams competing
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Sun, Sept 21 – Kickball tournament for fun (text Jakob to join in! 419-380-6127)
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Sat, Sept 27 – Regional Flag Football at Defiance College
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Sun, Sept 28 – Deadline to register for sports!
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Sat, Oct 25 – State Flag Football Competition in Hilliard, OH
| Lightning Athlete headed to USA Games!! | Big news! Lucas County athlete Jayden Labiche has been selected for Team Ohio at the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis, MN! Jayden will compete in the 800m and 1500m events. Over the past three years, he’s earned multiple golds and a silver at Summer Games. If you see Jayden, be sure to congratulate him on this incredible achievement! | | 2025 Softball Season Highlights | | |
What a season it has been for our softball teams! Our Coach Pitch and skills athletes competed in the 2025 Regional Softball Tournament at Marathon Fields in Findlay!
Our Coach Pitch Lightning team started strong right here in Lucas County, taking on the Ottawa County Rockets. A huge thank-you to Commissioner Anita Lopez for throwing out the first pitch and cheering us on! The Lightning stormed to a 16-12 victory, then traveled to Findlay where they shut out Richland County 10-0. With no substitutes and temps hitting 95°, they battled hard in a final showdown with Hancock County, ultimately earning a well-deserved silver medal. Their resilience, teamwork, and heart were incredible. We are so proud of each and every one of you... way to go, Lightning!
Meanwhile, 20 of our skills athletes competed in the blazing heat, bringing home plenty of medals and ribbons. Don’t miss your chance to cheer them on again at the Lucas County Rec Center on September 9 at 6 p.m., when they take on Henry and Wood Counties.
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And last but not least, our Lucas County Lightning D2 Softball Team earned their spot at the State Tournament on September 6 and brought incredible determination and team spirit to the field in Marysville, Ohio. After tough matchups against Hilliard County and Montgomery County, the team finished with a strong 4th place overall.
Congratulations to the Lightning on a fantastic season!
| | ** Nominate Lucas County Lightning! ** | | |
For a short period of time, the Toledo City Paper is accepting nominations for their annual Best of Toledo awards. We see this as a great opportunity to highlight some of the work happening at the Board, especially with Lucas County Lightning - but we need your help!
We believe it would be a strong fit under the category Community – Local Sports Team. If you agree, would you consider submitting a nomination? Nominations can be made by clicking here and writing "Lucas County Lightning" under the correct category once per day through September 15, and you’re welcome to encourage others to participate as well.
Thank you for your support in helping us bring more visibility to our wonderful program... we’d love to see Lucas County Lightning make it on the ballot!
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Comments or questions?
Please feel free to email our staff at specialolympics@lucasdd.org or call Sherrie Hathaway at 419-380-4021 if you have any questions and/or suggestions regarding this newsletter or anything else.
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