With 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.Â
"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."Â
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.Â
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.Â
"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."
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St. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig and Volusia County's Copper Reynolds share a moment of excitement as they complete their 100 meter race at the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competititon on Aug. 16.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Orange County's Brittany Tagliareni trained 6 days a week using the treadmill, elliptical and weights to prepare for the competition. She did a 4800 meter race in 38 minutes and 15 seconds.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Seminole County's Annamarie Nieves exclaims "I love it, I got it!" as she completes her 200 meter race.
Photo by Madison Bierl
The Manatee County Special Olympics team members who competed in the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competititon are Parrish's Lexis Engle, Palmetto's Timothy Rabbu and Bradenton's Marc Acquaro.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Monroe County's Benny Valdez competes in the 100 meter race at the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competition on Aug. 16.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Pinellas County's Tim Scholz cheers on Volusia Count's Allacyn Beebe, who didn't let a dip in the water stop her from completing her 200 meter race.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Brittany Tagliareni represents Orange County with her coach Tamara Cook. Cook says the competition is a testament of Tagliareni's dedication, hard work and big heart.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Duval County's Josiah Middleton lets out an excited yell as he completes his race at the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competition on Aug. 16.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Charlotte County's Elizabeth Martel says she worked a lot on stamina and learning to use the paddle. She says it doesn't matter if she wins or loses.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Pinellas County's Tim Scholz works the event as a starter, giving pep talks to the athletes and counting them off to begin.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Manatee County's Diane Rabbu, son Timothy Rabbu and coach Mark Flanagan celebrate Timothy's completion of his 3200 meter race. Timothy plays various sports including soccer, tennis and basketball.
Photo by Madison Bierl
The 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 Bierl
Pinellas County's Michael Tuason finishes a 4800 meter race in 36 minutes and 27 seconds.
Photo by Madison Bierl
St. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig is described by Demetrius Perry, her boyfriend of four years, as a great sport and athlete.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Monroe County's Jennifer Averette completes her 3200 meter race and is congratulated by her coach Ellyn Badry.
Photo by Madison Bierl
St Lucie County's Joshua Stemm receives a hug from his "second mom" Shannon Rochester after completing his 800 meter race.
Photo by Madison Bierl
St Lucie County's Joshua Stemm has a team ready to congratulate his completion of the 800 meter race: Renee Ximanies, Lindsay Ximanies, coach Tree Capozzole and Shannon Rochester.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
