From Evansville to Shelbyville, Special Olympics Indiana Jackson County athletes were busy competing in two sports over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Tornadoes softball team played in the sectional at Marrs Township Community Park in Evansville.
They opened against the Warrick County Warriors, a team they previously played in the first tournament of the season in Greenwood. The teams tied 8-8 in that matchup, but in the sectional, the Warriors prevailed 16-6.
In the second game, Jackson County fell to the Vanderburgh County Gray Bombers 20-2.
The Tornadoes finished with a season record of 1-6-1.
Also competing that day was Jackson County’s Owen Law in the individual skills competition. He placed third in his division. All skills athletes from the three softball sectionals around the state will advance to the state tournament Sept. 10 in Greenwood, so that includes Law.
On Sunday, Jackson County had five duos compete in a cornhole tournament at Morrison Park in Shelbyville. It was hosted by Special Olympics Indiana Shelby County. Along with Shelby and Jackson counties participating, Washington Township and Howard County brought teams to the event.
All five Jackson County teams won their first-round matches to move to the championship in their division.
Tim Ashburn and Alysha Sandlin teamed up to win their matches 21-10 and 23-4 against the same Shelby County duo, giving them blue ribbons.
Dale Hickman and Averie Brennan scored the first 12 points of their first match and won due to a rule stating if a team scores the first 11 points, the match ends. In the championship, they faced Jackson County teammates Zack Campbell and David Perrin, who had won their first-round match. The title tilt was competitive all the way with Hickman and Brennan pulling out a 21-19 win.
Derrick Martin and Elijah Noble had a strong showing, too. They won their first match 21-9 and then took the second one with ease 21-3 for blue ribbons.
Jackson County’s final duo, Becky Klosterman and Cassie Brock, defeated Shelby County 23-2 in the first round but then lost a tight match to Howard County 21-15 to place second.
Overall, three Jackson County duos earned first-place blue ribbons, and the other two received second-place red ribbons.
Their only other competition is the state tournament Oct. 2 at Zionsville Middle School in Zionsville.