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THIS IS MARCH MADNESS
Local Special Olympians rack up medals at state tournament
spt deh special olympics torch pic
Marcie Unruh of the local Storm Special Olympics team takes her turn carrying the torch into the opening ceremony of the annual Kansas Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading Competition last Thursday evening at Fort Hays State Universitys Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Storm was one of 132 teams taking part in the three-day event. - photo by DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
HAYS — There may have been disappointment with the run Kansas teams made in the NCAA Tournament, but that wasn’t the case in Hays this past weekend as thousands swarmed to the city for the 2014 Kansas Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading Competition.“This is March Madness,” Ellis County Commissioner Barbara Wasinger said.The Storm, which is made up of athletes from Barton County and the surrounding area, participated in events Thursday through Saturday at Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum, Hays High School and the Hays Recreation Center. There were 38 Storm special Olympians competing, helped by 11 coaches, seven volunteers and other family members.According to Special Olympics Kansas President/Chief Executive Officer Chris Hahn, the tournament included 132 teams with nearly 1,300 athletes and 400 coaches. He said this was the largest state basketball-cheerleading tournament ever.The participants took part in either the cheer competition or the 180-plus basketball games that spanned the three-days.