Saturday, Special Olympics Idaho held its Southwest regional games at Discovery Park in Meridian. Athletes competed in softball and Bocce Ball.
“I love it. It gets me out in the community,” said Special Olympics athlete Alexis Schimmelpfennig. She placed in the top three in the regional Bocce Ball games, and is one of dozens of athletes throughout southwest Idaho who spent hours practicing for Saturday’s events.
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Special Olympic athletes compete in Southwest Regional games in Meridian
“You can come and try any sport that we have, and try it for fun. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s just for fun,” said Schimmelpfennig.
And she gets to compete alongside friends and family as her dad Kevin coaches the Ghostbusters softball team. He tells Idaho News 6 that events like these help local kids and adults with intellectual disabilities build friendships, social skills, and confidence— all while having fun…