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New Oxford Today
By the People, for the People
New Oxford Unified Bocce Team Wins Playoff Game
Special Olympics PA tournament sees historic first-round victory for new high school program.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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The New Oxford Unified Bocce Ball team, which formed just months ago, made history by winning its first-round playoff game in the annual Special Olympics PA tournament. The team, made up of four athletes with disabilities and five regular education student partners, overcame early challenges to find success on the court and bring the school community together.
Why it matters
Unified sports programs like New Oxford's bocce team promote inclusion and understanding between students with and without disabilities, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of community in the school. The team's playoff win is a milestone for the new program and highlights the positive impact these initiatives can have.
The details
In its first year, the New Oxford Unified Bocce Ball team competed in the annual Special Olympics PA tournament and placed first in the first round of playoffs. The team is made up of four athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities, along with five regular education student partners. Coach Meghan Latshaw noted that the team initially struggled with interaction, but has since grown closer, with partners now joining the athletes' classrooms for activities.
- The New Oxford Unified Bocce Ball team played its first home game just months ago.
- The team won its first-round playoff game on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
- The team will move on to the next stage of the playoffs in March 2026.
The players
Meghan Latshaw
The coach of the New Oxford Unified Bocce Ball team, who has seen the team overcome early challenges to find success on the court and bring the school community together.
Nathan Warner
An athlete on the Susquehannock High School unified bocce team, who enjoyed the experience of being part of the larger team group.
What they’re saying
“At first, they weren't sure how to interact with each other, but now they're coming into each other's classrooms. Some of the partners are coming in and doing activities with our athletes.”
— Meghan Latshaw, Coach (abc27.com)
“It's really brought our school community together and shown, really, truly what inclusion should look like in a school.”
— Meghan Latshaw, Coach (abc27.com)
“My favorite part is being with our big team in the big group.”
— Nathan Warner, Athlete (abc27.com)
What’s next
New Oxford will move on to the next stage of the playoffs in March 2026, and Coach Latshaw is already preparing her team to 'dominate' at the regional competition.
The takeaway
The success of the New Oxford Unified Bocce Ball team demonstrates the power of inclusive sports programs to bring a school community together and foster understanding between students with and without disabilities. This milestone playoff win is a testament to the team's hard work and the positive impact of these initiatives.
