[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E600-E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE MANHEIM TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT UNIFIED TRACK TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD SMUCKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2023

  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Manheim 
Township Unified Track Team on their PIAA championship win. Manheim 
Township school district is in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional 
District.
  The Manheim Township team was only assembled in March of this year 
and quickly grew into a team of 28 athletes. Coach Shannon Sloss and 
Assistant Coach Shawna Givens led this team to success with no prior 
track experience. Members of the team came from a variety of 
backgrounds in sports. Some played field hockey, others played 
football, and some had no prior experience at all. Yet, athletes found 
themselves in search of a spring activity. For others, this was their 
first opportunity to join a team.
  Unified Track teams present a unique opportunity for athletes with 
intellectual disabilities to work with their classmates and compete as 
a team. The Manheim Township

[[Page E601]]

School District's Unified Track Team was sponsored by Special Olympics 
of Pennsylvania, who currently work with 358 schools throughout the 
Commonwealth.
  On May 27th and 28th, the team competed at Seth Grove Stadium at 
Shippensburg University, where they ultimately won their title and 
captured the gold, against stiff competition from a total of nine teams 
from across the Commonwealth. I am proud to represent a district with 
such accomplished athletes. Again, congratulations to the Manheim 
Unified Track team for all that they have accomplished and best of luck 
to them in the coming season.

                          ____________________