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Softball tournament raises money for local Special Olympics team
spt CP Special Olympics Storm
Members of the Storm Special Olympics team gather between softball games during the July tournament that raised money on their behalf. Eighteen members of the Storm competed in the softball tournament, while others were in attendance for support. They are joined in the photo by coaches and volunteers who helped to put the tournament on this year. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

The Storm Special Olympics Softball Tournament boasted 11 teams competing on July 14-15 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Included among the field of competitors was the Storm, the area’s Special Olympics team. Tourney proceeds help to cover costs for Storm athletes when they compete in Special Olympics events around the state, said tournament organizer Patty Halseth.
“Money goes toward paying for hotel rooms and meals when they compete, and it covers gas for the bus,” explained Halseth, who has organized the fund-raising tournament four straight years.
Several local businesses sponsored the competition, and about a dozen volunteers helped work the tournament. Approximately $3,500 was netted from this year’s tournament, Halseth reported.
Eighteen Storm team members split time, competing in six games on the tournament’s first day. They went 5-1 in the tournament.
The round-robin shifted to a single-elimination tournament with seven teams advancing to the final day of play. In the end, D.T.A. defeated Chism to claim the title. Besides Barton County, other communities represented in the tournament were Salina, McPherson, Pratt and Medicine Lodge.
“The Storm players had a blast playing on Saturday,” said Halseth. “After playing six games in one day, they were exhausted, but they had fun.”
The Storm participates in basketball during the winter, culminating with the state tournament in late winter. Storm athletes also compete in track and field, ending the season with the Special Olympics state meet in late spring.

Panther softball downs Liberal
GBHS panther logo
LIBERAL — Camdyn Post busted loose with five runs batted in to lead Great Bend past Liberal 11-2 in Tuesday's Western Athletic Conference softball game. Post made the 3-hour trip to Liberal worthwhile with a 2-run double, a 2-run single and RBI single. Liberal led 2-0. Taylor Harding scored on an error. Lexi Miller scored on a groundball. Left fielder Ava Kaiser saved a run when she threw out Allie Champion at home after a triple. Shortstop Kya Behr saved a fifth-inning run by throwing out Zoey Torres at home. Alyssa McCauley scored on Katherine Mazouch's groundout and Denver Ringo scored on Post's single in a 2-run third inning. DeShawnna Bryant scored on an error to ignite a 6-run fourth inning. Heidi Jording scored on McCauley's single. Callie Umphres and McCauley scored on Ringo's single. Ringo and Chayla Prendergast scored on Post's single for an 8-2 lead. Post doubled home Adelle Smith and Mazouch in a 3-run sixth inning. Post scored on Behr's sacrifice fly for an 11-2 final. McCauley (2-0) struck out two batters. Prendergast threw three scoreless innings. Great Bend 002 603 0 — 11 13 1 Liberal 110 000 0 — 2 6 3 McCauley, Prendergast (5) and Mazouch. Torres, Carter (5) and Harding. W—McCauley, 2-0. L—Torres. 2B—GB—Ringo, Post, Prendergast. 3B—L—Champina, Torres WESTERN ATHLETIC SOFTBALL Great Bend 3-0 8-1 Hays High 1-0 5-0 Garden City 0-0 2-0 Liberal 0-1 3-2 Dodge City 0-3 0-5 GREAT BEND (3-0, 8-1)—WW Dodge City 18-17, 3-0; WW Hutchinson 7-6, 12-0; W Manhattan 16-2; L McPherson 5-11; WW Pratt 16-11, 7-5; W Liberal 11-2; 4-10—Liberal (2); 4-15—Dodge City (1); 4-17—at Newton, Maize South; 4-18—at Derby, Wichita Northwest; 4-22—Hays High (1); 4-24—at Hays High (2); 4-29—Garden City (1); 5-1—at Garden City (2); 5-9—at DH; 5-15—Newton (2) HAYS HIGH (1-0, 5-0)—WW Olathe East 9-3, 10-5; WW Junction City 6-2, 5-0; W Dodge City; 4-10—Dodge City (2); 4-15—Garden City (2); 4-17—Wichita Northwest; 4-22—at Great Bend (1); 4-24—Great Bend (2); 5-1—Hays TMP (2); 5-6—at Liberal (2); 5-8—Liberal (1); 5-13—at Garden City (1); 5-15—Manhattan (2) GARDEN CITY (0-0, 2-0)—WW Scott City 19-3, 15-0; 4-11—Goodland (2); 4-15—at Hays High (2); 4-17—Derby, Wichita Northwest; 4-18—Newton, Maize South; 4-22—Liberal (1); 4-24—at Liberal (2); 4-29—at Great Bend (1); 5-1—Great Bend (2); 5-6—Dodge City (2); 5-8—at Dodge City (2); 5-9—DH; 5-10—DH; 5-13—Hays High (1) LIBERAL (0-1, 3-2)—WW Colby 17-2, 14-2; W Hesston 6-4; L Halstead 3-4; L Great Bend 2-11; 4-10—at Great Bend (2); 4-15—at McPherson, Maize; 4-17—at Hugoton (2); 4-22—at Garden City (1); 4-24—Garden City (2); 5-1—Cimarron (2); 5-5—SW Heights (2); 5-6—Hays High (2); 5-8—at Hays High (1); 5-13—at Dodge City (2); 5-15—Dodge City (1) DODGE CITY (0-3, 0-5)—LL Great Bend 3-18, 0-17; LL Salina Central 0-15, 0-15; L Hays High; 4-10—at Hays High (2); 4-15—at Great Bend (1); 4-18—Wichita Northwest (1); 4-25—Hays TMP (2); 4-29—at Pratt (2); 5-1—at Wichita South; 5-2—Wichita Heights; 5-6—at Garden City (2); 5-8—Garden City (2); 5-13—Liberal (2); 5-15—at Liberal (1)
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