Chloe Phillips, a Manheim Central eighth-grader, captured two gold medals at the 42^nd annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games held June 9-11 at Penn State University in State College.

It was the first statewide competition for the 13-year-old Phillips. She won aquatic medals in both freestyle and breaststroke.  She's been a member of the Special Olympics Lancaster County swim team for the past two years.

"I've always loved swimming, and breaststroke and freestyle are my favorite strokes," she said.

After qualifying for the state competition at a regional meet at Kutztown University, she spent additional time practicing at the Manheim Community Pool with her mother, Anne Phillips.

The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games are held each year at PSU. According to the Special Olympics Pennsylvania website, the event brings together more than 2,000 athletes and 750 coaches from across the state. It features three days of competition in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis. Gold, silver and bronze medals are presented for first, second and third place, and ribbons are presented to fourth- through ninth-place finishers.

The statewide competition was filled with new experiences for Chloe and her family. Her father, Eric Phillips, a Manheim business owner who also serves as mayor, explained that the Special Olympics Summer Games has an opening ceremony and torch relay. This year, the torch was carried across the state and brought into Medlar Field at State College by teams of law enforcement officers

"Seeing all the athletes and their families filling the stadium during the opening ceremony really gave me an overwhelming sense of the various types of special needs," he said.

For Chloe, the thrill of victory was mixed with other special treats, such as ice cream from The Creamery on PSU's campus. Her favorite flavor: chocolate.  She also slept in a dorm room.

 "It wasn't air conditioned, and it was a bit hot, but it was fun," Chloe said.

She also made some new friends and plans to continue swimming.  Eric Phillips said that because of her medals, Chloe may have the opportunity for further competition.  Attending the statewide event also prompted Chloe's mother to volunteer as a coach for Special Olympics Lancaster County.