HAYS — It was a taste of March Madness this past weekend as members of the Storm Special Olympics teams headed to Hays and participated in the 37th-annual Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading Competition.
The Storm, which consists of athletes from Barton County and the surrounding area, participated in events Thursday and Friday at Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum, Hays High School and the Hays Recreation Center. There were 34 Storm special Olympians competing, along with numerous coaches, parents and other volunteers.
According to Kansas Special Olympic officials who spoke during the opening ceremonies Thursday night at the coliseum, the tournament included over 120 teams, 1,200 athletes and 400 coaches. They participated in either the cheer competition or the many basketball games that spanned the two-day stretch. Over 400 volunteers also helped.
The competition was scheduled to run Thursday through Saturday, but the pending late-winter storm prompted organizers to end it on Friday to allow the teams from all over the state to return home.
In addressing the throng of competitors gathered in Gross Memorial, the athletes recited the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Also, during the opening ceremony, the Barton Community College Cheerleaders and Dance Line performed.
As for the contests, two cheer squads and four of the roundball teams were a part of the Storm, and all came home with awards.
The cheerleading Gold Team, which competed Thursday, earned gold medals. The team is coached by Erika Julian and Sarah Hales.
The cheerleading Silver Team earned silver medals. The team is coached by Julian and Amanda Fellers.
Storm members are divided into basketball teams based on skill levels from level four all the way up to fast break.
The level four team (the Hurricanes), coached by Stephanie Galusha, Kelly Reed and Dot Slack, came in first and brought home the gold. 
The lower level three team (the Thunder), coached by Dale Hogg, took second and brought home silver medals.
The upper level three team (the Tornado), coached by Rick Julian and Bo Levingston, came in third.
The level two fast-break team (the Lightening), coached by Harold Thorne, Jim Boehnke and Ginger Maes took first place and claimed silver medals. 
In addition to the basketball games, several of the Storm athletes took part in a skills competition (including dribbling and shooting). Many of the competitors brought home medals and ribbons from these events as well.
The athletes competing included Sherrill Arnold, Raymond Bethel, Robin Bethel, James Boehnke, Tammy Boele, David Brack, Darren Brown, Britt Davidson, Chris Devine, Danny Dewitt, David Edwardson, Abbie Garrett, Rae Griffin, Shae Griffin, Roger Guthals, Toni Hales, Xavier Jordan, Chris Lamb, Dylan Lebbin, Austin Levingston, Chance Maes, Jesse Maes, Mary Minear, Crystal Naugle, Samantha Purcell, Garett Reed, Jessi Simonson, Cody Slack, Steven Smolik, Dawn Specht, Krystal Thorne, Joshua Trimmer, Marci Unruh and James Wonsetler.
In addition to the coaches and participants, there were numerous parents and other volunteers along to support the Storm.