SPECIAL OLYMPICS DONATION … The Williams County Special Olympics was presented with a $500 donation from The Fraternal Order of Police Captain Custer Lodge, 181, on Thursday night. Presenting the check to Angela Luke, Williams County Special Olympics coordinator (right), is Jeremy Viers (left) of the Bryan Police Department.
PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SPECIAL OLYMPIANS & FIRST RESPONDERS UNITE … Members of the Williams County Special Olympic softball team and Williams County Law Enforcement officers, EMS, and fire department members gather for a combined team photo prior to Thursday’s softball game at Bryan Rec Park.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Special Olympics softball team wrapped up its season Thursday, September 4, playing in their annual contest with Williams County law enforcement officers, along with EMS and fire department members at Bryan Rec Field No. 2.
“This is our fourth year of having the game,” said Angela Luke, Williams County Special Olympics coordinator.
The idea of going up against law enforcement officers came about when one of the Special Olympians said, “Hey, let’s challenge the law enforcement to a softball game,” and it went from there.
It was a matchup between the Williams County Sharks against the Williams County Goldfish, with rosters featuring Special Olympians, law enforcement officers, EMS, and fire department members.
“Actually, this is their favorite game of the year,” pointed out Luke. “They look more forward to this than any other game of the year.”
Wrapping up another softball season, the Williams County Sharks enjoyed a successful year as they participated in the regional tournament in Findlay.
The Sharks defeated Ashland County in the first regional game but then fell to Henry County in the championship game as they went farther this year than they did last.
“Everybody kind of moved around and played in some different positions this year, and things went well,” said Luke.
“We had to cancel a couple of games because the weather was hot, which we didn’t have time to make them up in the season because of regionals.”
Another highlight of the season involved five Special Olympic athletes, Claire Bell, Jy’air Berryman, Ashley Hendress, Owen Toomey, and Kristin Herman, all of whom competed in the State Skills Competition, which was held this past weekend in Marysville.
“They do four different skill competitions,” said Luke. “They’ll do baserunning, and they get a score from that along with hitting, fielding, and throwing skills as well.
“They are doing a great job, and what the skills (competition) does is prepares them to move up to a team position. All of those things kind of prepare them to be on a team, and we get them ready for that.”
Luke, who has been involved with Williams County Special Olympics for 30 years now, says it’s very important personally for her.
“I’ve been in this field for 41 years, so I’m kind of in it,” commented Luke. “I’ve done different various roles in the DD (Developmental Disabilities) community. These kids bring a lot of joy to me, as I’ve known them since they were younger.”