Meridian resident Aiden Ace, 10, center, reacts on the podium after winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Games at Penn State University recently. He is the son of Michael and Rhonda Ace.

BUTLER TWP — Aiden Ace wasted little time in becoming a state champion.

Aiden, 10, a fourth-grader at McQuistion Elementary School, recently earned a gold medal in floor hockey during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) State Games at Penn State University.

He was the only Butler County Special Olympian to win a gold medal at the meet and is completing his first year in Special Olympics.

“Aiden had to complete a series of skills,” his mother, Rhonda Ace, said. “Shooting the puck, maneuvering the puck around cones, shooting at the net from five different positions.

“This is the first year he got involved in this, so we're thrilled for him.”

Aiden has been involved in Miracle League baseball at Graham Park in Cranberry Township.

Floor hockey coach Renee Spohn runs practices at McQuistion Elementary. Floor hockey practice began Nov. 20.

SOPA consists of 20,000 Special Olympians statewide. The organization has existed since 1970.