Clark County softball teams win gold, silver at Special Olympics

Two Clark County softball teams won gold medals and two took silver medals during the Special Olympics of Washington state championships.

The state competition took place Aug. 17-18 in Everett. Teams that won at the Southwest Washington regional qualified for the state tournaments.

Winning gold medals in softball were the Clark County Braves and the Clark County Mariners.

Playing for the Braves were Daniel Barich, Aaron Bernabi, Eli Bernabi, Tim Cook, Joseph Dawson, Casey Ellison, Cole Gaddis, McKenna Gaddis, Mark Hart, Alex Trimble and John Veals. The Braves coaches were Elizabeth Francis, Rick Cook and Jason Gallagher.

Playing for the Mariners were Alex Ables, Adam Barr, Jason Downey, Jordan Hicks, Andrew Hopper-Jester, Larry Joslin, Jacob Lattanzi, Josiah Malik-Byers, Taylor Malik-Byers, Marissa McCollum, Estevan Rosales, Scott Shivvers, Everett Smith, and Eric Stage. The Mariners were coached by Jason Scott and Christina Lanham.

Siver medals in softball went to the Cardinals and the Reds.

The Cardinals players were: Jenna Anderson, James Byers, Rebekah Galliher, Mallory Hamilton, Anjuli Heath, Glenda Huhtala, Dusty Lang, Paris Laycock, Greg Martino, Charles Rymer, Betty Stuart, Michael Torres, and Tiffany Torres. The Cardinals coaches were Teresa Haliski, Jeannie David and Emily Hamilton.

The Reds players were: Michael Cook, Nathan Ellis, Russ Jones, Sam McIntyre, Levi Neil, Cory Robak, Robert Schmitz, Ivan Soltero, Sean Starr, Andrew Stekhuizen, and Michael Vanoni. The Reds coaches were Bryan Cook, Katie Kaiser, Audrey Stekhuizen and Christopher Stekhuizen.

Krista Downey won a silver medal in softball individual skills competition.

In the golf state tournament, Jason Tevilin and unified partner Barry Gill won a bronze medal. The Clark County Chippers golf team was coached by Martin Sherrington.

Next up for Clark County Special Olympics is bowling. A registration opportunity for that program is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. on Saturday at Pied Piper Pizza on Fourth Plain. There is no cost to participate. To learn about Special Olympics bowling, contact Elizabeth Francis by email at ClarkCountySO@aol.com.