Special Needs cheer team members being sought

Since it was established in 1985, cheer squads representing Millbury-based Kid’s World have won state and national competitions.

Kid’s World owners Mike and Lonna Meadows are now looking to put together a squad to compete in Special Needs categories. Right now, their Special Needs team has four members, but they’d like more.

“It’s for girls who have disabilities, and they wanted to have a cheer group. This is our first year doing it with this. We’d like to have more girls, or guys. Guys do it, too,” Lonna said.

“As we go into competitions, they have Special Needs categories which have anywhere from three girls to some squads have 20 on them,” Lonna said. “When we go into competitions, there are a lot of Special Needs teams around.”

Mike exclaimed, “We’re excited about it. They enjoy it. The main thing about the kids is they can do it at any age.

“One of the girls who has been coming to the gym for a long time, his sister, is one of the Special Needs girls. That’s how we got involved in it because we knew that she wanted to do it, so we got involved with it in that way and out of word of mouth we got some more kids out of it. We’d like to get more. We’ve got to make room for more,” Mike added.

Lonna said there can be slight adjustments on rules for competitors living with disabilities.

“They do a two-and-a-half minute routine. There is some variation, depending on their disability what we can do tumbling-wise or mounting-wise with them,” Lonna said. “They feel like they are part of a group and they really enjoy competing. I see them getting a lot of confidence out of it and they have a good time.”

Twenty-nine-year-old Kimberly Smith, a West Toledo resident who volunteers for Kid’s World, is leading the charge to find more members for this team. She was on a team that recently won a Gold Medal at Ohio State University.

Smith signed up 14-year-old Anna Verb, an Oregon resident who attends Eisenhower Middle School.

“I just met Anna this season, and I just started it. We’re trying to get more people to do cheerleading with us. It’s just fun to do,” Smith said. “We have a blast and we cheer on other teams.”

Anna’s mother, Debbie Verb, said, “She’s done this year before. She really loves it. You can see the smile on her face and tears in her eyes. It’s a great thing. She can do a lot of dances and stuff. She watches the cheerleading shows and stuff and she gets her moves from them.

Anna, who has won a couple individual trophies in cheerleading, added, “You get a lot of dance moves, and then you have to get more practices. I like the dances.” 
 

Eastwood athletics
Eastwood Superintendent Brent Welker recognized individuals and organizations in his community e-mail address that made donations to the athletic department.

The recognition included $1,305 from the family of Jeremy Foster, in his memory, for general use by the athletic department; $5,444 from CAP for the baseball backstop and field improvements; $3,000 from Ashley Ansley and D.J. Michel for the weight room and track and field improvements; $500 from the Fraternal Order of Eagles for the baseball program; $200 from Darlene and Dale Krukemyer for baseball and $150 from the Power Up Foundation for baseball.

“These generous gifts are greatly appreciated. We continue to extend our condolences to the family of Jeremy Foster,” Welker said.

Sports Announcements
The East Toledo Family Center will host the MLB Pitch, Hit, and Run local skills competition. Registration is free and open to boys and girls ages 7-14 and must be completed by May 6. Birth certificate or baptismal record needed to participate. Winners will advance to additional competitions. Call Danielle at 419-691-1429, ext. 221.

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The East Toledo Family Center will register for youth summer ball leagues beginning Apr. 4. Leagues include t-ball (ages 4-6), Coach’s Pitch (ages 7-9), baseball (boys ages 10-14), and softball (girls ages 10-14). Registration fee is $30 per child and multiple child discounts are available. Fees will be collected at time of registration. Practices begin at the end of May and games start in June. Call Danielle at 419-691-1429, ext. 221.

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The Toledo-Lucas County Police Athletic League and Toledo Police Department will host the 2011 and 2012 National PAL Boxing Championships at Seagate Convention Centre Oct. 1-8. In 2003, Toledo PAL hosted this event that brings hundreds of the best amateur boxers from across the nation to compete for a championship. Visit www.toledopal.com.

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The Lake Erie Monarchs summer college baseball team, which plays home games at Ned Skeldon Stadium, is looking for host families this summer. A sample listing of colleges players come from include Notre Dame, Michigan State, Illinois, Penn State, Nebraska, and Saint Clara. In the last three seasons, the Monarchs have had 19 players drafted and the 2010 MLB first round pick of the Boston Red Sox is a Lake Erie Monarch alumni. Call Monarchs president Jim DeSana at 734-626-1166 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Woodmore Memorial Day 12 and 14 and under baseball tournament will be May 25-30 in Woodville. Call tournament director Mike Sorg at 419-836-9826 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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The tournament committee is seeking youth baseball and softball players to be batboys for the National Amateur Baseball Federation College World Series Aug. 4-7. Call 419-936-3887.

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Registration dates for the City of Toledo’s “Swing for the Fence,” which includes youth baseball (recreation and major divisions) leagues, youth girls softball (slow and fast pitch), youth tee-ball (6 and under co-ed), youth coach pitch (8 and under co-ed), and adult Federation baseball (with college and unlimited tournament bids) has begun. Team manager must register in person at the Toledo Athletic Office, 2201 Ottawa Parkway, Mon.-Fri. between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call 419-936-2877.

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Registration dates for City of Toledo adult men’s and co-ed softball are Apr. 4-15 and for new teams Apr. 18-May 13. Cost is $250 per team (one night per week, 11 games) and $450 per week (two nights per week, 21 games, which may be switched to single night doubleheaders). Team manager must register in person at the Toledo Athletic Office, 2201 Ottawa Parkway, Mon.-Fri. between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Umpire fees are $23 per team. Required paperwork due May 20 and league play begins May 30. Play is sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA).

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The Parker Tennis Camp will be held May 28-Aug. 5 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Jermain Park and is free of charge. Call 419-936-2877.

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Registration begins in April for City of Toledo youth and adult tennis at Jermain Park. Call 419-936-2877 or register in person at the Toledo Athletic Office, 2201 Ottawa Parkway, Mon.-Fri. between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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