Special Olympics team in Nationals

   The Special Olympics “Team Maine” basketball squad departed Friday to participate in the Special Olympics USA Nationals in Princeton, N.J., a tournament that will conclude Saturday, June 21.
Brian Hamel of Presque Isle, coach of the Aroostook County Snow Dogs each of the past two seasons, is the head coach of “Team Maine” and leads a team of 10 athletes, three of which are from Aroostook County, to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The three players from the Snowdogs participating are Phil Hanson, Austin Hanson and Tasha Flaherty.
“It is a tremendous honor for all the athletes to have been selected to their respective teams and I am looking forward to being part of such a great experience,” Hamel said. “My involvement with Special Olympics has been tremendously rewarding and beyond which words can explain for me.”