Abington Heights team wins Unified bocce championship

Abington Heights had its two teams finish first and third Feb. 27 when the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Unified Champion Schools Northeast Region Bocce League concluded.

The league featured teams from seven schools, with the two teams each from Abington Heights and Wallenpaupack qualifying for four-team playoffs at Carbondale.

The Abington Heights White team won the title.

Team members for the championship squad were: Elizabeth Stanley, Lily Rizzi, Melissa Betts, Maddie Kreutzberger, Callie Odom, Claire Karsnak, Grace Russini and Max Bessoir. Kelly Carey was the coach.

The Abington Heights Blue Team finished third.

Brandon Gardner, Kayla Pardue, Olivia Rembecki, Sophia Santarsiero, Rosey Holmes, Marlie Piasecki, Luther Task and Ella Tourscher made up the lineup for the team, which was coached by Krista Carey.

Unified Sports combine Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities as teammates.