Special Olympics Marshall and Starke Counties winter season results

Marshall and Starke County’s Special Olympics program is wrapping up its first season in the Winter Games. This season included Basketball, Cheer, and Powerlifting.

The basketball teams participated in tournaments at Goshen High School, the Area 4 tournament held at Caston High School, and its first locally hosted basketball tournament in Plymouth.

The cheer team participated in the local tournament in Plymouth, traveled to the Goshen Tournament, and cheered at the Area 4 Tournament in Caston. The Cheer Team comprises three athletes from Marshall County and one unified partner from Starke County. Coaches Amber Jones and Temple Kipper have been working with their spirit-filled Cheer Team since early January.

The Winter Games were held at Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Athletes competed in Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Snowboarding. Two athletes from Marshall County headed down this year. Ian Radican participated in snowshoeing, and Christian Radican participated in skiing, both receiving medals in their divisions.

Cheerleaders below are Emily Kipper, Leigh Hooper, Makayla Strickland, and unified partner Ashley Keen. Coached by Amber Jones & Temple Kipper.

Powerlifting is gearing up for the Spring meet in Terre Haute on March 29. Powerlifting has 10 athletes from Starke County and five athletes from Marshall County. Coaches Eric Keen and Justin Parker will be taking this hard-working group of athletes to compete in the Special Olympics Indiana Spring Meet at THIRST Gym after diligently training for nine weeks at Hard Knox Gym.

Athletes will compete in the Deadlift, Squat, and Bench Press.

Pictured below is powerlifting athlete Jaiden Wade.

Our highly motivated Basketball players consist of two teams: Wildcats and Firecats. The two teams consist of six athletes from Marshall County and nine athletes from Starke County.

The Wildcats and Firecats will head to Area 1 Sectionals at Wheeler High School in Valparaiso Saturday.

The Wildcats are coached by Leroy Van Dusen, with assistant coaches Judge Kim Hall, Mike Ziaja, and Donavan Ziaja.

Jackie Ziaja and Caleb Prescott coach the Firecats.

Both of these teams have been working hard since early November. If any of these teams win the GOLD at Sectionals, they will be advancing to the Special Olympics Indiana State Tournament on April 5 at the Pacers Athletic Center.

Firecats: Coach Jackie Ziaja, Xavier Lawrence, Asher Short, Connor Parker, Jared Holt and Asst Coach Caleb Prescott.

Wildcats: Back: Coach Leroy Van Dusen, Bobby Bunting, Roger Stoner, Justus Crum, Ryan Robbins, Lucas Thangam, David Parker, Donovan Newton,

Front: Conor Allen, Cash Little, Mariah Leininger, & Marcy Unternahrer. Not pictured: Asst. Coaches Kim Hall, Mike Ziaja, and Donavan Ziaja.

Winter Games Athletes Ian Radican & Christian Radican