For the second time in as many years, Marathon High School’s unified soccer team clinched gold at the 2025 Special Olympics Summer Games in the Level III Junior Division.
The victory was part of a remarkable showing for the Florida Keys, which saw all five unified soccer teams that competed bring home gold medals from the state championship tournament on May 16-17. Joining Marathon in their triumph were two teams from Horace O’Bryant School in Key West, one from Coral Shores High School and one from Key Largo School.
The championships, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort and the United States Tennis Association national campus in Orlando, celebrated inclusion and ability, with over 2,500 athletes statewide competing in seven sports.
“It’s amazing to witness our county’s widespread success,” said Marathon head coach Cathy Warner. “All of us coaches work together and encourage each other all the time. There were seven soccer teams in the Keys this year and five of them made it to states. The multiple divisions allow more kids the opportunities to play, which is so great.”
A Special Olympics unified soccer team is a unique and inspiring sports model that pairs athletes with intellectual disabilities with neurotypical “partners” on the same team. It’s a cornerstone of the Special Olympics’ Unified Sports program, designed to promote social inclusion, understanding and friendship through the power of sport. The fundamental idea is to foster inclusion by creating teams where individuals of diverse abilities can train and compete together. This direct interaction helps break down stereotypes and build genuine connections between teammates.
“On our unified team, we’re dedicated to ensuring our athletes are the ones scoring goals, with partners focused on assisting,” said Warner. “This program is all about giving children with intellectual or physical disabilities a chance to play sports and experience a sense of normalcy, especially if they don’t typically get that opportunity in a traditional school setting.”
Marathon High School stands out for its commitment to equal recognition for all athletes. As part of the Unified Champion Schools program, MHS’ unified athletes, like those in other participating schools, can compete in sports including bowling, flag football, basketball, tennis and track. This means that unified soccer players, both with and without intellectual disabilities, have the opportunity to earn recognition as varsity athletes. MHS reinforces this inclusivity with welcome-home ceremonies for their Special Olympics gold medalists – and this week was no exception. On May 19, the soccer team received a fire-truck escort to school, where they walked into a courtyard full of music and their cheering classmates.
Athletes and partners often receive awards for sportsmanship, including county-level awards selected by Ruth Coleman, Special Olympics Florida’s sports, training and competition manager for Monroe County. One such partner is MHS student Ashley Strama, selected from dozens of partner athletes as Monroe County’s Inspirational Partner of the Year.
“This was a really prestigious award because there are probably 80 to 100 partners within our county, and she won,” said Warner. “She is incredibly deserving of this honor as she assists with goals, helps with sprained ankles, gets water for everyone and is a genuinely great kid. I am so very proud of her.”
“I was so surprised when I got the award,” said Strama. “It really feels good to be a part of the program because I get to help kids that normally wouldn’t get a chance to play soccer.”
Unified teams throughout the Keys are shining examples of a unique partnership between Special Olympics Florida and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). This collaboration allows students of all abilities to compete at an elite level, representing their schools in their own Unified Division at FHSAA State Championships.
These sports experiences, especially the memorable unified soccer competitions, provide invaluable moments of leadership, friendship and teamwork that students will cherish forever.
More information is at specialolympicsflorida.org
