Page 6 - 2022-23 Unified Flag Football State Finals Program

DeKalb Barons Champions Together Initiative

Dk. Lt. Name
1 1 Noah Griggs In 2012, it began with a challenge from then IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox to the 18
2 2 Colton Johnson members of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee (SAC). A challenge to find an organization to
6 6 Cohen Pfefferkorn support on an on-going basis to build a legacy of leadership. The SAC researched not-for-profit
7 7 Scott Slaybaugh
8 8 Preston Hayward organizations and unanimously recommended that a partnership be formed between the IHSAA and
9 9 Keagen Yarian Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN) based on a “mutual love of sports.” The “Champions Together”
10 19 Lionel Cox partnership was born and first introduced to the entire IHSAA membership in 2013-14 with the philos-
11 11 Curtis Cook ophy, “Servant Leadership. Changing Live.”
12 12 Ray Chalfin
13 13 Aiden Maloney
14 14 Myles Dobson Champions Together has experienced exceptional growth since its inception over the past nine
15 15 Briar Hartleroad years. It started with 13 schools participating in Unified Sports® with the inaugural Unified Track and
17 17 Dominick Keen Field State Tournament in 2013. It spread to many schools across the state with retired Champions
18 18 Kyle Putman Together Director, Lee Lonzo, traveling thousands of miles with Special Olympics Advocates Mitch
20 20 Christian Butcher Bonar and Andrew Peterson spreading the word of inclusion, acceptance and respect to schools and
21 21 Michael Smith student bodies. Unified Flag Football launched in 2018 and has grown from 25 schools participating
22 22 Eizabeth Bartz
23 23 Skyler Simmons in the inaugural State Tournament to 41 schools in 2021. The unified movement will continue to grow
Front Row (left to right): Lionel Cox, Myles Dobson, Aiden Maloney, 24 24 Chevy Holdaway and change the lives of student-athletes across Indiana.
Michael Smith, Briar Hartletroad, Carter Thompson; 30 30 Carter Thompson
2nd Row: Keagan Yarian, Ray Chalfin, Cohen Pfefferkorn, Champions Together is a collaborative partnership and SOIN continues to be a full partner in Cham-
Chevy Holdaway; 3rd Row: Ryan Baker, Colton Johnson, Noah Coaches - Carol Fike, Ryan Baker, pions Together. SOIN helps by providing technical support in implementing Unified Sports based on
Griggs, Adam Dunn, Skyler Simmons, Scott Slaybaugh, Doug Kelley, Brennen Maloney more than 20 years of experience. They have also provided financial grants to schools which start
Preston Hayward; Back Row: Carol Fike, Dominick Keen, Unified Sports programs, paid all costs of IHSAA Unified Sports Tournaments, and provided more
Kyle Putnam, Curtis Cook, Christian Butcher, Brennan Maloney, Manager - Adam Dunn than 250 school assemblies either in-person or virtually promoting respect and inclusion. SOIN also
Doug Kelley
sponsors two high school state championships in Unified Bocce (6th annual) and Unified Bowling (4th
Brownsburg Bulldogs annual) which provides competitive opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Unified eSports and Unified Robotics have emerged out of the pandemic as two new possibilities for
SOIN sponsored championships.
Dk. Lt. Name
1 1 Casey Sparks Champions Together is more than just Unified Sports. Being a part of Champions Together means
2 2 Walker Fruits acceptance, community, school pride, comfort, belonging, healing and sometimes even therapy for
3 3 Logan Bradley some. Champions Together changes the culture in schools, creates opportunities for those who
4 4 Carson Knox necessary may not get it, and forms life-long & lasting friendships.
5 5 Cam Reich Be part of the #InclusionRevolution and #PlayUnified!
7 7 Gavin Barnes Thank you for your continued support of Champions Together
11 11 Mimi Kaba
12 12 Jordan Clendenney
13 13 Justin Petty Mike Hasch – Special Olympics Indiana
14 14 Scott Tienda
15 15 William Nolte
17 17 Jackson Kerr
20 20 Luke Grimes
22 22 Quintin Wilson
24 24 Owen Brown
25 25 Gabriel Biagioni
Front Row (left to right): Ethan Hart, Mimi Kaba, Caleb Heldman, 33 33 Caleb Heldman
Carson Knox, Jackson Kerr, Gavin Barnes, Walker Fruits, Casey Sparks; 47 47 Parker Huff
Back Row: Kayle Comer, Owen Brown, Cameron Reich, Parker Huff, 77 77 Adeoyin Mogaji
Brynn Barnett, Justin Petty, Quintin Wilson, Luke Grimes, Scotty Tienda,
Adedoyin Mogaji, Oluwaferanmi Arise, William Nolte, Gabriel Biagioni, Head Coach - Kayle Comer
Chris Douglas, Ava Guckenburger; Not Pictured: Jordan Clendenny, Assistant Coach - Chris Douglas
Logan Bradley Manager / Stats - Ava Guckenburger

6 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! 7