Meade County Special Olympians are undefeated when it comes to winning hearts as they prepare for title runs

Photos by Katie Hobbs

This past Monday, the gym at St. Martin of Tours in Flaherty was full of smiles and joy. The Meade County Special Olympics basketball team and cheerleading squad had arrived on campus to showcase their awesome skills. They were there to team up with St. Martin’s Youth Group members for a full-on scrimmage as they prepared for tournament competitions.

The basketball team, fresh off winning a Special Olympics Regional Basketball Championship title, broke into green and white squads along with members of the youth ministry and played a full, officiated game. They were preparing to compete on March 14-15 for a Special Olympics State Championship after winning the Regional Championship.

The Meade County Special Olympics Cheerleading Squad also performed their routine, which would give any professional sport’s halftime show a run for their money. The joy and skill that they displayed in their cheers and performance would stir resounding pride and cheers for Green Wave Nation from even the least sports-minded-soul who witnessed their awesome routine. Like the basketball team, the cheer squad was also preparing for a championship run of their own. They will be competing for a State Championship title this week on Saturday, February 28 at Mercy Academy in Louisville.

During the scrimage, Knights of Columbus - St. Teresa Council members Stephen Spohn, Charlie Wilkins, and Eddie Bruner presented Meade County Special Olympics with an oversized check for $1,000 for the program to use for uniforms, travel costs and other expenses needed to allow the program to continue to meet the needs of our community’s greatest athletes - Meade County Special Olympians.

Regardless of what happens at their respective competitions, these athletes are true champions who bring joy and community pride to everyone they come into contact with. They are undefeated when it comes to winning hearts.