Special Olympics athlete Emily Woolard hits the ball during Thursday’s unified game with the Marysville High School baseball team. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Once again, the Marysville school district has shown its support for local Special Olympics athletes.
The Monarch baseball team played a unified softball game with Special Olympians Thursday evening on the MHS varsity baseball diamond.
The score was kept, but in my opinion, that really didn’t matter.
What was most important was the interaction between the Marysville baseball players and the Special Olympians.
I think the MHS players were able to see just how blessed they are to have the ability to play varsity sports.
They also, I believe, learned a lesson from the Special Olympians about overcoming obstacles in order to play a sport they love.
If there are ever times when a varsity athlete wants to give up because things are going rough, all they have to do is think about what our Special Olympians have been able to accomplish.
The Special Olympics has been a strong program on the local level for a number of years.
The Marysville school district has been a strong partner with Special Olympics for nearly as long.
The Bunsold Middle School volleyball program, the high school boys basketball team and the baseball squad have been involved with Special Olympians by either playing contests or helping with Special Olympics games, such as officiating or keeping score.
The Special Olympics athletes have long shown their perseverance with the length of their program and the quality of their play.
These young folks just want the opportunity to play sports and be accepted for their abilities.
All they want people to know is that “they are also Monarchs.”