- September 16, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
St. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig and Volusia County's Copper Reynolds share the thrill as they complete their 100-meter race at the Special Olympics State Stand Up Paddle competition Aug. 16.
Photo by Madison BierlOrange County's Brittany Tagliareni trained six days a week using the treadmill, elliptical and weights to prepare for her Stand Up Paddle competition. She completed the 4,800-meter race in 38:15.
Photo by Madison BierlSeminole County's Annamarie Nieves exclaims "I love it, I got it!" as she completes her 200-meter race.
Photo by Madison BierlThe Manatee County Special Olympics team members who competed in the Special Olympics State Stand Up Paddle Competition are Parrish's Lexis Engle, Palmetto's Timothy Rabbu and Bradenton's Marc Acquaro.
Photo by Madison BierlMonroe County's Benny Valdez competes in the 100-meter race at the Special Olympics State Stand Up Paddle Competition Aug. 16.
Photo by Madison BierlPinellas County's Tim Scholz cheers on Volusia County's Allacyn Beebe, who didn't let a dip in the water stop her from completing her 200-meter race.
Photo by Madison BierlBrittany Tagliareni represents Orange County with her coach Tamara Cook. Cook says the competition is testament to Tagliareni's dedication, hard work and big heart.
Photo by Madison BierlDuval County's Josiah Middleton lets out a yell as he completes his race at the Special Olympics State Stand Up Paddle Competition Aug. 16.
Photo by Madison BierlCharlotte County's Elizabeth Martel says she worked a lot on stamina as she prepared for the Stand Up Paddle competition.
Photo by Madison BierlPinellas County's Tim Scholz works the event as a starter, giving pep talks to the athletes and sending them off to begin the race.
Photo by Madison BierlManatee County's Diane Rabbu, son Timothy Rabbu and coach Mark Flanagan celebrate Timothy completing his 3,200 meter race.
Photo by Madison BierlThe Manatee County Special Olympics team includes coach Susan von Fossen, Lexis Engle, coach Paul Sterbenz, Marc Acquaro, Timothy Rabbu and coach Mark Flanagan.
Photo by Madison BierlPinellas County's Michael Tuason finishes a 4,800 meter race in 36:27.
Photo by Madison BierlSt. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig is described by Demetrius Perry, her boyfriend of four years, as a great sport and athlete.
Photo by Madison BierlMonroe County's Jennifer Averette completes her 3,200-meter race and is congratulated by her coach Ellyn Badry.
Photo by Madison BierlSt Lucie County's Joshua Stemm receives a hug from his "second mom" Shannon Rochester after completing his 800-meter race.
Photo by Madison BierlSt Lucie County's Joshua Stemm is greeted by his team of Renee Ximanies, Lindsay Ximanies, coach Tree Capozzole and Shannon Rochester after his 800-meter race.
Photo by Madison BierlWith 155 athletes gathered for a jam-packed day of competition, Manatee County Coach Mark Flanagan said the Special Olympics Florida Stand Up Paddle Competition couldn't have been any better.
"Today is about the athletes," Flanagan said. "It is a real, true blessing to watch them with their dedication, courage and joy that they possess."
Parrish's Lexis Engle, Palmetto's Timothy Rabbu and Bradenton's Marc Acquaro were the only athletes representing Manatee County out of the 155 athletes. Engle has competed for four seasons, while Rabbu and Acquaro have for seven.
Pinellas County's Tim Scholz was soaked as he volunteered as a "starter" to give the athletes a pep talk and send them off to compete.
"All my athletes that I coach, I tell them I have two main rules," Scholtz said. "The first rule I want you to give it your best. The second rule is I want you to have fun."
