According to a press release from Special Olympics Indiana Marshall & Starke counties, they are in the heat of Fall season! Approximately 60 athletes are practicing Softball, Equestrian, Cornhole, and Flag Football. They have practices going on across Marshall & Starke County almost every night of the week.
They have 26 athletes participating in Cornhole this year. Cornhole practices are held at the Church of the Heartland in Plymouth. Coached by Marshall County’s own Rhonda Owens and Todd Hooper. These athletes have over 8 weeks of practice before they head to sectionals in Caston on September 14th. Gold medalist at sectionals earns the opportunity to compete on the state level in Grant Park September 28th.
They have 10 athletes participating in Equestrian this year. Equestrian practices are held at the Golden Horseshoe Saddle Club in Knox. They have some amazing volunteers that bring their horses in for athletes to use at practices. They will also be taking these same horses down to Danville for the State Tournament on August 22nd & 23rd. These athletes are required to have a minimum of 10 practices under their belt before they head down to compete. This year there are athletes competing in Team Relay, Flags, Poles, Spoons, Barrels, Western Trail, Horse Part Identification, Grooming and Tacking and Showmanship. This year two individuals headed down to Danville and have achieved their Coaches Certification in Special Olympics for the Equestrian program. Congratulations to Carrie McGuire and Terri Little.
There are 20 athletes participating in Softball this year. Softball practices are held at Koontz Lake Lions Softball field and Plymouth Westlyn Church in Plymouth. There is a team for team competition, and skills athletes that participate in a competition involving the fundamentals of Softball. The Wildcats are coached by Marshall County’s own Noel Soria and Rhonda Owens. The Skills athletes are coached by Marshall County’s Sonja Soria and Starke County’s Tina Downey. The Wildcats come home with a 1 to 1 record for the tournament. These athletes are gearing up for Sectionals on August 23rd. Gold medalist at sectionals earns the opportunity to compete on the state level in Greenwood on September 6th.
There are 10 athletes participating in Flag Football this year. Flag Football practices are held at Hard Knox Gym in Knox twice a week. Coached by Starke County’s own Justin Parker and Brenner Cruce. Coach Justin and Coach Brenner both headed down to Indianapolis this year to be certified in Special Olympics Flag Football. They will be heading up to St. Joseph County on August 17th for their tournament. These tournaments will complete their minimum game requirement to compete at state competition in Indianapolis on September 28th.
The release went on to state that Special Olympics Indiana Marshall & Starke counties is super appreciative to all their Venues, Coaches, Volunteers, Horse donors for their contributions to Special Olympics!
