Special Olympics Marshall & Starke Counties Celebrates Historic Summer Games Success as Fall Season Kicks Off
June 29, 2026 — Special Olympics Indiana’s Marshall and Starke County programs are celebrating an extraordinarily successful trip to the State Summer Games in Terre Haute, while simultaneously launching a packed fall sports season featuring record athlete participation and three brand-new sports.
Summer Games Triumph
The local delegation brought an incredible group of 36 athletes to Terre Haute to compete in Swimming, Track & Field, Powerlifting, and Team Bowling. This summer also marked the historic debut of Bocce as a new sport for the program.
● Swimming: 12 athletes practiced on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings at Plymouth Aquatic Center. They competed in Huntington County Swim Invitational, Area 1 Sectionals in Valparaiso, and Summer Games at Rose Hulman in Terre Haute
● Track & Field: athletes practiced on Saturday mornings at Culver High School. They competed at sectionals in Valparaiso, and Summer Games at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.
● Bowling: 21 athletes practiced on Saturday mornings at Bowlaway Lanes. They competed at Summer Games at Indiana State University in Terre Haute
● Powerlifting: 11 athletes practice on Sundays at Hard Knox Gym. They competed at the Spring Meet at THIRST gym in Terre Haute and Summer Games and Indiana State University in Terre Haute
● Bocce: Two athletes practiced Saturday mornings at Culver High School. They competed at Sectionals in Valparaiso and Summer Games at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.
The athletes’ hard work and dedication paid off in spectacular fashion, bringing home a massive haul of 84 total awards:
● Gold: 20
● Silver: 11
● Bronze: 9
● 4th–8th Place Ribbons: 44
“Our athletes poured their hearts into training for the Summer Games, and these results show exactly what can be achieved with dedication and strong community support,” said Jackie Ziaja County Coordinator. “To see our veteran competitors excel and our new Bocce athletes shine on the state stage was incredibly rewarding.”
Fall Sports Season Now Underway
There is no offseason for Marshall and Starke Counties. The fall sports lineup is already in motion, expanding the program’s reach with the introduction of Golf and Distance Run & Walk to the seasonal offerings.
● Equestrian: 9 athletes are currently training on Thursdays at the Golden Horse Shoe Saddle Club. The team is preparing to compete at the State Competition on August 15th at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds.
● Softball: 20 athletes are participating on the Wildcats team and in individual Skills matchups. Practices are held on Saturdays at Hamlet Lions Field in Koontz Lake and Mondays at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. The Wildcats will play at least two games before heading to Sectionals in Mishawaka, with their sights set on the State tournament in Greenwood.
● Golf (New Sport!): 5 trailblazing athletes have taken to the greens, practicing at the Hamlet Golf Course on Sundays. They are gearing up for Sectionals, aiming to advance to the State tournament in Greenwood.
Coming Up in the Next Few Weeks
The program will soon launch three additional sports, maintaining high momentum through the autumn months:
● Cornhole: A massive crowd of 42 athletes is already signed up for the season. Practices will take place on Tuesdays at the Church of the Heartland in Plymouth. The team will compete at Sectionals in Michigan City, fighting for a spot at the State tournament at Grand Park in Westfield.
● Flag Football: 8 athletes have joined the Wildcats Flag Football squad. Training splits across Tuesdays at the Hard Knox Gym and Sundays at Culver High School. The team will play a minimum of two games before heading straight to State at Grand Park.
● Distance Run & Walk (New Sport!): 4 athletes have registered for this brand-new program. Practices will be held on Sundays at Culver High School, preparing the runners and walkers for a trip to Grand Park in October to compete at the state level.
With hundreds of local athletes, coaches, and family members engaged across these six sports, local leadership is incredibly proud of the growing footprint of the Special Olympics Indiana Marshall-Starke program. Volunteers and community members are encouraged to come out, cheer on the teams, and support the athletes at upcoming practices and regional games.
For more information on how to register as an athlete, volunteer as a coach, or support the program, please contact Jackie Ziaja, MarshallStarkeSO@gmail.com.
