Pleasanton RADD teams earn medals in floor hockey

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Pleasanton hosted more than 300 of the state’s top Special Olympics floor hockey players earlier this month, and the hometown competitors walked away from the Alameda County Fairgrounds with medals.

The Pleasanton RADD (Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled) A team won a gold medal while the RADD B team finished with bronze. Pleasanton resident Adam Pinney also earned gold in the individual skills competition.

In all, 26 delegations representing Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Kings, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Tuolumne counties took part in the Pleasanton Regional Floor Hockey Competition, organized by Special Olympics Northern California at the fairgrounds Dec. 2.

The RADD A team dropped its first game 11-5 but then swept through the next two (10-2 and 8-2) to earn the gold medal in its division.

The RADD B team lost both of its games but still received a bronze medal in its division. Camellia Pinheiro scored a hat trick for the B squad in the final game.

The RADD program’s only skills competitor, Pinney took home the gold medal after demonstrating his prowess in all four events: shoot for accuracy, shoot around the goal, passing and stick handling.

“To prepare for the competition, the athletes practice every Tuesday evening for six weeks for 1-1/2 hours working on drills, defense and offensive situations and then scrimmages. We coaches are so proud of the dedication and commitment from these athletes. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to coach them,” coach Kay King said.

The RADD A team consisted of Bruce Louwaert, Bryan Peacock, Evan Rutter, Greg Neves, Jack Nespor, Jake Kaufman, Jason Paasch, Jennifer Thomas and Steven Adkins.

The RADD B team featured Pinheiro, Dawn Nickles, Joshua Layman, Lauren Lenigan, Michael Ahre, Ryan Butterly, Scott Tanaka and Vladislav Goroklhov.

In addition to King, coaches were Troy Nickles, Jim Spillane, Jim Gundell, Sergio Castillo and Kathy D’Onofrio.

Pleasanton RADD B team goaltender Ryan Butterly awaits an opponent’s shot while his teammate Vladislav Goroklhov plays defends. (Photo by Kay King)
The Pleasanton RADD A and B teams gather after competing in the floor hockey event at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, where the A squad won gold and B earned bronze. (Photo by Kay King)