World Champion Clinton County Special Olympians Receive Heroes’ Welcome Home

MILL HALL – With “We Are the Champions” blaring from one of the accompanying fire trucks, the world champion Clinton County Hawks received a warm welcome back home, returning as volleyball champions from the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Coach Brad Marr said his team was “tired but happy” after the fourteen and a half-hour trip from the other side of the world. The team arrived at the WalMart parking lot Saturday afternoon, escorted by the Big Twin motorcycle group and fire trucks from all over the county. They were met by hundreds of family members and supporters and there were hugs all around, the Hawks’ first-time back home since their departure on March 6.

As for the parade from Avis through Lock Haven to Bald Eagle Township, coach Marr told therecord-online, “This is awesome; we never expected this.” He said, “Thank God and everybody here for their support. “ He said the competition for gold was difficult, the Hawks ending with a 6-2 record, including pool play, capped off with the title game win over the host United Arab Emirates.

Marr said the Clinton County squad was treated well by the hosts, the culture “awesome” and the experience “everything we thought it would be.”

As for the future, he said the team will take a break and then it will be time for softball. Volleyball play will resume later in the year. He indicated it was too soon to say if the Hawks, representing Pennsylvania Special Olympics, might get the opportunity to compete again in four more years.

Team members include Holden Marr, Elaine Litz, Ronald Smith, Kathy Marr, Jordan Litz, Conner Borner, Lee Powers, Christopher Smith and Robert S. Borner Jr.