The Maryland State Police/Natural Resources Police will host the 27th Deep Creek Dunk on Saturday, February 21st, 2026, at Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland, benefiting Special Olympics Maryland – Garrett County. This year will be a monumental year with the debut of our first ever Super Dunk on Friday, the 20th. As a part of this unique challenge, 25 brave individuals will raise $2,500 for the honor of being a Super Dunker and take 12 Dunks into the frigid Deep Creek Lake in 12 hours, have incredible bragging rights, and some great Super Dunk swag to showcase their accomplishments.
A word from Lieutenant Michael Sigmund – Barrack Commander/MD Dept of State Police/McHenry Barrack – “W” about the Deep Creek Dunk and Maryland State Police relationship.
“The Maryland State Police proudly collaborates with Special Olympics Maryland and is committed to maintaining our support. As the commander of the McHenry Barrack in Garrett County, I feel privileged to take part in and endorse the 1st Annual Super Dunk, the Deep Creek Dunk, and the Special Olympics Winter Games. Special Olympics Maryland not only aids our athletes both locally and statewide, but it has also reinforced our collaboration with the community, including the Garrett County Public Schools, where they persist in providing opportunities for unified sports involving students and athletes.”
As a part of our Super Dunk recruitment, Special Olympics Maryland has already gotten commitments from the following civic and business leaders in the area to be Super Dunkers:
- Chelsie Manges – Dir of Special Education/Garrett County Board of Education
- Michael Sigmund – Lieutenant, Maryland State Police, McHenry Barracks
- Luke Mongrain – State Park Ranger Supervisor, Maryland Forest & Parks
- Helga Mehring – Co-Owner/206 Alder Bistro & Bar
- Nick Sharps – President/Garret County Chamber of Commerce
- Daryl Anthony – Former Asst. Secretary/Maryland Natural Resources
- Steve Green – Owner/High Mountain Sports
- Steve Stuck – Owner/Oakland Oil and Propane
- James Delligatti – Uno’s/Arrowhead
- Danny Sgaggero – Owner/Hot Tub First Aid
- Erika Kolb – Owner/Pawn Run Bar & Kitchen
- Connor Norman – Business Development Specialist/Garrett County Govt.
- Bryce Manges – Garrett County Health Department
- Nicholas Kline – Trooper/Maryland State Police
That leaves 11 open spots for Super Dunkers to join in on this tremendous challenge.
One of the first registered Super Dunkers was Chelsie Manges, Director of Special Education/ Garrett County Public Schools, and she states, “Unified sports through Special Olympics, MD, follows a simple principle that training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. We’ve been so fortunate to see this principle come to life in Garrett County Public Schools as we continue to offer and expand unified sports. As we’ve increased unified sports, we’ve witnessed students without disabilities build awareness and acceptance of students with disabilities. We’ve seen these friendships carry over into the academic setting, along with understanding and advocacy for their peers. We’ve also seen whole-school communities altered, as our middle and high schools earned State Banner Recognition, a high accolade given to schools who lead the way in inclusion, with our elementary schools striving for this same recognition this year. Unified sports isn’t just an opportunity for students with disabilities; it’s an opportunity for all of us to learn and grow in accepting differences.
When I was approached about being part of the first group of Super Dunkers, I couldn’t think of a better, and more crazy way to support some-
thing I’m truly passionate about.”
All funds raised at the Super Dunk and the Deep Creek Dunk will be used to support Special Olympics programs in Garrett County, as well as the Unified programming in Garrett County Schools.
Registration is now open for all Deep Creek Dunk events at DunkMD.com. To participate in the Saturday Dunk, individuals must raise a minimum of $75 in pledges and will receive a commemorative event sweatshirt, a food coupon provided by Uno’s Pizzeria and Grill, and the great feeling of freezing their “fur” off for a truly worthy cause.
The MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk’s events include Cool Schools Dunk (students, teachers, and community members dunk to raise money for the Garrett County Public Schools Unified Champion program) on Thursday, February 19th. The Super Dunk and Goosebumps, Grapes, and Growlers (a wine and beer tasting event with live music) will be held on Friday, February 20th. The main Saturday Dunk is being held on Saturday, February 21st.
All events will be held at the Uno’s and Honi-Honi on Deep Creek Lake and will all benefit Special Olympics Maryland – Garrett County.
Written by Special Olympics of Maryland,