What you need to know about the Washington County Unified Bocce Tournament
What you need to know about the Washington County Unified Bocce Tournament, held Saturday afternoon at South Hagerstown High School:
What are Unified sports?
Unified sports, offered in Maryland public school in partnership with Special Olympics Maryland, bring together special-needs athletes and able-bodied helpers on teams in three different sports (tennis in fall, bocce in winter and track and field in spring). All students with special needs are eligible regardless of physical, emotional or cognitive ability.
Before each event, athletes say the Special Olympics oath: "“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
What is bocce?
Bocce, which has similarities to both bowling and curling, involves a small target ball (about the size of a golf ball), often called a jack, and four larger balls (about the size of duckpin bowling balls) per team. Teams alternate rolling or throwing their balls with the objective of finishing the closest to the jack. The winning team can earn from one to four points per game, based on how many of its balls finish closer to the jack than any of the opponent's balls. Games can be decided by inches, or even millimeters.
In the Washington County Tournament, matches had a 30-minute time limit, with each match consisting of multiple games between the two teams.
More: Washington County high school scores and top performers for Jan. 22-28
See who won: Central Maryland Conference indoor track and field championship results and photos
Which county teams participated?
Six county public schools (Boonsboro, Clear Spring, North Hagerstown, Smithsburg, South Hagerstown and Williamsport) fielded at least one team each in the tournament. In all, 13 teams took part.
Teams were divided into four divisions based on the ability levels of the athletes. A team champion was crowned in each division, as well as an overall champion and runner-up.
What were the results?
In Division 1, the Smithsburg No. 2 team won, the Boonsboro No. 1 team finished second and the Williamsport No. 1 team placed third. Smithsburg also was the overall runner-up.
In Division 2, the Smithsburg No. 1 team won, the Boonsboro No. 2 team finished second, the South Hagerstown No. 2 team placed third and the Williamsport No. 3 team was fourth.
In Division 3, the Clear Spring No. 2 team won, the North Hagerstown No. 2 team finished second and the Williamsport No. 2 team placed third.
In Division 4, the Clear Spring No. 1 team won, the South Hagerstown No. 1 team finished second and the North Hagerstown No. 1 team placed third. Clear Spring also won the overall championship.
What ceremony preceded the tournament?
Before the tournament began, Marty and Vicki Lumm were recognized for their $11,700 donation, through the Maugansville Ruritan's Kevin Lumm Memorial Fund, to provide six new inflatable bocce courts for the county (one for each of the six participating high schools).
Washington County Public Schools matched the donation to provide each of the six schools an additional inflatable court. The courts have been used throughout this season.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Four Washington County Unified Bocce team champions crowned
