Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from the United States and Canada traveled to Tennessee to compete in the 2019 Special Olympics North America Softball Championship.
The four-day tournament allowed over 250 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners to compete at a national level. The tournament was an outstanding display of sportsmanship, comradery, and incredible athleticism.
From Illinois, the Tri-County Independents took 2nd place in the Unified High-Performance division.
The team has participated in the softball championship since 2011. Head Coach, Larry Needham, and wife, Barb Needham, have been with the Tri-County Independents for quite some time. The coaches live by the motto, “you play as you practice,” said Larry.
On and off the playing field, the Tri-County Independents exemplify strong. At the end of the day, the Tri-County coaches want their athletes and Unified Partners to play their best, and most of all have fun.
The team worked hard to make their positive impact known. From high fives between Unified Partners to cheering rival teams on- the Tri-County Independents always end the game on a high note.