Pictured, in front, from left, are: TJ McDonnell, Ian MacMillen, Earl Hulings, Brendon Brightman, Levi Blakeslee, Coach Joey Lynch and Coach Bob Brigham. In the middle are: Melissa Bazzle, Ray Fuller, Ariana Kroah, Dylan Murphy and Jean Spruce. In back are: Jack Trask, Coach Seth Brightman, Zach Huber, Shane Pierce, Zach Stahl, Mike Lockett and John Freeman. Absent are: Coach Stephanie Muoio-Robinson and Coach Cassi Brigham. Submitted photo

On Oct. 18, the Chautauqua Lakers Special Olympics Team and the Individual Skills team competed in the 2025 State Fall Games-Special Olympics, in Glens Falls.

The Lakers won the gold medal, their first gold medal since 2012. The Lakers played a pairings game and won 7-0. Then they played two more games versus the Warriors and the Diamond Dawgs. Lakers won 9-2 vs. Warriors and then in the championship game the Lakers won 21-3. Every player had at least three hits and scored a run in the tournament. Big bats for the Lakers were Zach Huber going 5 for 5, Mike Lockett with a 350-foot home run and a double, Shane Pierce with a double and Zach Stahl with a double.

It was a great year for Lakers as they won a silver medal at the regionals held in Buffalo and won a gold medal at the Upstate Fall Classic Super Regionals held in Webster.

The Lakers sent four athletes into the skills competition where each athlete competes in four events. The events include: Throwing, Running, Hitting and Fielding. Ray Fuller and Jean Spruce won gold medals in their divisions. Melissa Bazzle and Ariana Kroah won silver medals in their divisions.