Special Olympics Marshall-Starke Counties conclude winter season

Monday, March 11, 2024 at 11:50 AM

News

The Special Olympics Marshall and Starke Counties program is wrapping up its winter season of competition. This season included basketball, cheer, and powerlifting. The basketball teams participated in tournaments at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Taylor University in Upland, and Goshen High School, along with local games at Culver High School.

The Cheer Team participated in local games at Culver High School and traveled to the Goshen Tournament. The Cheer Team consists of 4 athletes from Marshall County and 1 athlete with 2 unified partners from Starke County. Coach Nicole Ziaja has been working with her spirit-filled Cheer Team since early December.

Powerlifting is gearing up for their first meet ever! Powerlifting has eight athletes from Starke County and two athletes from Marshall County participated in the powerlifting competition. After 9 weeks of training at Hard Knox Gym, they will be heading down to Terre Haute. On March 16th Coach Eric Keen will be taking this hard-working group of athletes to compete in the Special Olympics Indiana Spring Meet at THIRST Gym. Athletes will compete in the deadlift, squat, and bench press.

The highly motivated Marshall Starke Special Olympics Basketball players consist of four teams: the Wildcats, Turbocats, Barncats, and Firecats. There are four teams consisting of 13 athletes from Marshall County, 11 athletes from Starke County, and 1 athlete from Pulaski County. The Wildcats, Turbocats, and Barncats will be heading to Area 1 Sectionals at Valparaiso High School on March 17th.

The Wildcats are coached by Coach Leroy Van Dusen and assistant Mike Ziaja.

The Turbocats are coached by Coach Judge Kim Hall and assistant Gunner Wagner.

The Barncats are coached by Coach Noel Soria and assistant Sonja Soria.

All four of these teams have been working hard since early November. If any of these teams win the gold at sectionals they will be heading to the Special Olympics Indiana State Tournament the following weekend at the Pacers Athletic Center.

The Firecats coached by Coach Jackie Ziaja will be advancing to the Special Olympics Indiana Youth State Tournament in April.