Special Olympics athletes from across the country are returning to Charlottesville for the Xperience this weekend at Boar's Head Sports Club. The annual tennis competition brings together the top Special Olympics tennis athletes from around the country, including four of Virginia's own, Jay Choi of Fairfax, Don Pericle and Chris Raupp of Charlottesville, and Sreyan Cheemakurthi of Henrico for three days of round-robin tournament play, a UVA tennis clinic and community doubles play.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Special Olympics athletes from across the country are returning to Charlottesville for the Xperience this weekend at Boar's Head Sports Club.
The annual tennis competition brings together the top Special Olympics tennis athletes from around the country, including four of Virginia's own, Jay Choi of Fairfax, Don Pericle and Chris Raupp of Charlottesville, and Sreyan Cheemakurthi of Henrico for three days of round-robin tournament play, a UVA tennis clinic and community doubles play.
Join us for the Opening Ceremony, which starts at 7 pm Thursday, Jan. 2; tournament play is from 9 am to 4 pm Friday, Jan. 3; and final matches run from 8 am to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, with the awards ceremony starting at 3:15 pm. A clinic led by the UVA men's and women's tennis teams will run Thursday from 2:30 to 4 pm, and former WTA player and Grand Slam champion Vania King will join players Thursday and Friday.
Volunteers still are needed as line judges, chair umpires and ball runners. Fans also are welcome throughout the tournament; for the full event schedule, visit specialolympicsva.org/xperience.
Other Xperience facts:
- There are 25 athletes competing from 13 states, including four from Virginia as noted above.
- The Xperience fulfills the dream of local Special Olympics athlete Jon Fried and his family. The dream was to bring together the best Special Olympics tennis players in the nation and provide them with a competitive experience right here in Charlottesville. The first Xperience Invitational took place in 2008.
- This year's event is presented by Boar's Head Sports Club with additional support from the BAMA Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Terri Denton & the Denton Family Charitable Foundation, The Fried Family, NBC29, WHTE Hot 101.9, WVHK Hot 100, the Jonathan Fried Pro Challenger Tournament and many generous Charlottesville area supporters.
Can't make it but want to get more involved with Special Olympics Virginia in your area? Visit specialolympicsva.org to find out more about becoming an athlete, coach, sponsor or volunteer. For additional information, or for athlete story ideas at the event, please contact Sean Wallach at [email protected] or 609.213.1665.
About Special Olympics Virginia: Special Olympics Virginia is an accredited state program of Special Olympics Incorporated; an international organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports every day around the world. Through work in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics addresses inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society. Visit us at http://www.specialolympicsva.org. Engage with us on Twitter @solympicsva; fb.com/specialolympicsvirginia; Instagram @specialolympicsva; youtube.com/specialolympicsva; and TikTok @specialolympicsva.
Media Contact
Sean Wallach, Special Olympics Virginia, 8043469633, [email protected], www.specialolympicsva.org
SOURCE Special Olympics Virginia
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