Palmyra Unified Bocce takes Bronze at State Championship Tournament

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On March 27th, the Palmyra Unified Bocce Ball Team arrived at the Giant Center to compete in the 2025 State Championship Tournament. At the State Finals, co-sponsored in a partnership between the PIAA and the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, the Cougars were one of eight teams that had earned the right to compete at the state’s highest level. Palmyra qualified to compete in Hershey with their victory at their Regional Tournament earlier in the month.

In the 1st match of the State Championship Tournament, Palmyra (#6 seed) was matched up against the team representing Downingtown East (#3 seed). In the match, the Cougars stormed to a 10-3 victory that sent them to the Semifinals.

In the Semis, the Cougars faced Blackhawk High School (#2 seed). Early on, Blackhawk grabbed a 4-0 lead. However, the resilient Cougars made a comeback and took a 6-5 lead with less than two minutes remaining. On the final rolls, Blackhawk was able to take back the lead for good when they put two points on the board to make the score 7-6.

In the 3rd place match, Palmyra competed against Bald Eagle. Shaking off the heartbreak of the previous match, the Cougars regrouped in the match to notch a resounding 12-1 victory.

Finishing the tournament in the win column, the Palmyra Cougars were rewarded Bronze medals.

Following the completion of the season, Palmyra senior Delaney Miller reflected on the experience with this powerful message:

“If you had asked me in November that our little school’s unified bocce team would be one roll away from playing in the state championship game, I would have told you that you were crazy; however, that was far from the truth, and I am filled with so many emotions about this season. We began this season just like any other, with the idea that we would maybe make it to the Mid Penn Championship. When we got there, Mr. Danielewicz said something that would define the rest of our season, “Why Not Us?” These three words would carry through our season and through the community as we continued onto regionals and states. Bocce is different than every other sport that I have played, and that is because of the support and the camaraderie that comes with it. While other sports are competitive, bocce is uplifting and supportive and allows everyone to feel included. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to play a sport because it teaches so many skills. It also allows you to make lasting memories and friendships. When I found out we were going to the state championship, I just remember everyone’s face lit up, and that, to me, was greater than any medal because everyone should have the opportunity to feel that type of accomplishment. As I look back on my time with the PHS Bocce team, I am filled with so much gratitude and thanks that I was able to be a part of something much bigger than myself, and I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “Inclusion is the process of identifying, understanding, and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging.”

Palmyra Unified Bocce Roster

Ethan Scherer

Gavin Scherer

AJ Walker

Delaney Miller

Tyson Poust

Michael Miller

Kiersten Grumbine

Kyleigh Felty

Brock Stabinger

Addy Barger

Palmyra Unified Bocce Wins Regional Championship, States Up Next!

What are Unified Sports?

Bocce Ball is offered as part of the Unified Sports program. As described on the Special Olympics website, Unified Sports provides “opportunities for students both with all types of disabilities and without disabilities to participate in sports meaningfully. By engaging other students in the school community, Interscholastic Unified Sports (IUS) helps promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect.”

Special thanks to Ron Danielewicz for providing the information for this story. Danielewicz serves as the Palmyra Unified Bocce Team’s head coach.