Miami County Special Olympics softball team earns silver at state tournament
The Miami County Special Olympics softball team won silver medals at the Special Olympics Ohio State Tournament on September 6 in Marysville, Ohio. The team traveled with Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) staff and long-time volunteer coaches, Connie Teserovich and Kristie Rittwage, who have led the team to success for more than 25 years.
The team won their first game against Hancock County 9-6, and lost in the finals to Columbus City Schools 18-13. Members of the softball team include: Noah Allen, Isaac Angle, Aelaf Ayichew, Johnnie Dennis, Jasper Dorsey, Laura Healey, Angela Hess, Brennen Hinger, Crystal Miller, Larenzo Savage, Stephen Stewart, Brie Tope, Tristan Yingst, Jamie Cook, Lacey Miller, Jacoby Price, Michael Sorauf, and Trevor Wood.
“We are so proud of our team for making it so far this year, but it’s about so much more than just winning games,” said Patrick Kilbane, Community Connections Manager at MCBDD and local coordinator for Miami County Special Olympics. “Opportunities like this open new doors for our athletes and help them grow in confidence and independence. We are grateful for the opportunity this year, and we couldn’t do it without our donors and volunteers.”
Miami County Special Olympics is operated by the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities as an affiliate of Special Olympics Ohio and the internationally recognized Special Olympics organization. Miami County Special Olympics offers a wide variety of year-round individual and team sports for anyone with an intellectual disability, ages 8 and older. Sports included in Miami County are basketball, bowling, cheerleading, golf, powerlifting, softball, swimming and volleyball. Each program promotes athletes' emotional, physical and social health and instills a strong work-ethic and sense of teamwork. Through successful experiences, athletes build confidence and a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, jobs and community. For more information about Miami County Special Olympics or how to donate or volunteer, visit miamicountydd.org or call (937) 440-3000.
