LS Special Olympics softball team places second in tournament

Family, friends, and volunteers make the day even more special at Summer Sports Classic

BY CHUCK TUCK | JOURNAL REPORTER Lake Stevens is known for producing some top-notch athletes and sports teams from track to wrestling to football.

But, did you know about the Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) softball team which hails from Lake Stevens?

The SOWA provides year-round sports competitions and training for intellectually disabled children and adults, giving every athlete a chance to learn, compete, and grow individually.

“The event this year was a great success,” said Jill Ward, Director of Public Relations for SOWA. “We held the golf portion of the tournament at the Fairwood Golf and Country Club in Renton for the first time. The facilities there are outstanding and the club’s generous support of SOWA and Summer Sports Classic is so appreciated. We did see an increase in the number of softball teams competing this year, largely due to the increase in our Unified Sports teams.”

The Summer Sports Classic, which includes golf and softball, tends to attract a lot of friends and family and was more popular than ever this year.

“Softball and golf are the two sports that make up Summer Sports Classic,” Ward said.

The softball tournaments were held the weekend of August 25 and 26 at the Meadowdale Athletic Complex in Lynnwood to a huge crowd of fans who saw nothing but the highest level of sportsmanship, game play and camaraderie between the athletes.

About 900 athletes, 125 coaches, 200 volunteers, and 800 family members and friends turned-out for the weekend show-down.

The Lake Stevens Vikings placed an impressive second place in the Masters 3 category being edged out by the Community Colleges of the Spokane team.

Ward says that the Summer Sports Classics is a culmination of the summer sports season, and softball is a big deal to all the participants.
“It is the state championship for softball and golf, so this is a big deal for the athletes, their teams and their family members. You could call it the equivalent of the World Series for softball to Special Olympics Washington,” Ward said.

Those interested in competing, volunteering, or donating, can obtain more information by going to: www.sowa.org.

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