Northeast Bests Chesapeake In County's Newly-Popular Sport

By Colin Murphy

In each school’s first year fielding a bocce team — yes, bocce — over 150 fans recently crammed into Northeast High School’s cafeteria to see the Eagles improve to 2-0 on the season as they defeated the Chesapeake Cougars two games to one in a best-of-three match.

The schools’ respective bocce programs are open to all students, but were formed mostly for the benefit of each school’s special-needs students — those with conditions ranging from social anxiety disorder to Down syndrome — many of whom are getting the opportunity to play on an interscholastically competitive sports team for the first time.

Chesapeake Head Coach Mike Gimon sees the program providing an opportunity for students, who otherwise might not play a sport, to experience the camaraderie and social aspects of playing on a team. “The goal [of the Chesapeake program] was to bring special-needs students and general-education students together, and it really has,” said Gimon. “They look forward to seeing each other, to being a part of something. It’s been great for our school as a whole.”

Northeast Head Coach Greg Kalberer has likewise seen tremendous enthusiasm and support from the players, student body, faculty, and fans. “We’re really excited about [the program],” said Kalberer. “We’re having a good time with it, the fans are having a good time with it, and everyone has been very supportive and excited. And it’s competitive — these kids want to win,” he added.

With no seat left unfilled, and many more students and parents standing in the packed cafeteria to catch the action, Northeast and Chesapeake players alike were seen competing hard and having fun.

Northeast student Brandon Ribb, who has Down syndrome, drew chants of “B’s! B’s! B’s!” — his nickname — from his peers in the crowd every time he stepped up to toss. As one of the team’s leading point-getters this season, he has really enjoyed the experience.

“I actually really like it,” said Ribb. “It’s really fun. It’s my favorite game.”

Ribb’s teammate, senior David Arrowood, is one of several general-education students on the Northeast team who sees playing bocce as an opportunity to do something positive for his special-education peers.

“[Playing on the team] is a once in a lifetime experience,” says Arrowood, who also plays on the football team. “They come out every day excited to play. This is their football.”

Similarly, the Chesapeake program has several general-education students on the team who are interested in working with special-needs students as a career.

“It’s neat to see everyone bonding,” said Jackie Wilford, whose daughter, junior Courtney, plays on the Chesapeake squad. “Bocce is new to all of us, but it’s been a very positive experience. [Courtney] is having a great time working with some of her special-ed peers, and I know it’s been a great experience for the kids at Northeast, too.”

Joseph and Laura Jean Brice, whose son, Tilghman, is a special-needs student on the Chesapeake team, were thrilled that their son has gotten a chance to play on a sports team for the first time in his life after being part of the school’s marching band for seven years.

“He can do this and a lot of the other kids, who weren’t physically able to do other sports, can do this too. And the enthusiasm is great,” said Joseph, gesturing to all the people in attendance around the room. “Everyone is here cheering, not for either side, but just for everyone to do well.”