Special Olympics Utah
1400 S Foothill Dr #238 SLC, UT | 801.363.1111 | sout.org
|
|
News from Special Olympics Utah
|
|
2019 State Basketball Tournament
|
|
This is the second year of the Special Olympics Utah State Basketball Tournament. We are grateful to Larry H. Miller Charities and the Utah Jazz for being the title sponsors and making this basketball season and tournament possible.
Basketball is the largest participant sport, with over 700 athletes and 40 teams will participate in this two day event. Athletes can compete at all levels.
Competitions will take place in:
Five-on-Five:
5v5 is played both traditional and Unified. Unified basketball is where those with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete on the same team. An individual without an intellectual disability playing on a Unified team is called a Unified Partner.
Three-on-Three:
3v3 basketball is a step between 5v5 and Skills (see below). An athlete still learning ball handling, passing, shooting, and general game awareness and movement, could be a good candidate for 3v3.
Skills:
There are two levels where individual athletes compete in three events: Level I with Target Pass, 10 Meter Dribble and Spot Shot, and the more advanced Level II with 12 Meter Dribble, Catch & Pass and Perimeter Shooting. The totaled three event scores are the final score.
MATP:
The Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) is designed for athletes with intellectual disabilities who also have more severe physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and need an individually designed training program. MATP prepares athletes for sport-specific activities appropriate for their abilities.
Special Olympics Utah focuses on the empowerment of those with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.
Be a part of the action! Over 200 volunteers are needed to support this event! Get involved and join the
#InclusionRevolution
!
|
|
|
Support Bret & Ryan at the 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi!
|
Meet Special Olympics Utah athletes Bret Giebel and Ryan Dilg, who will represent Utah and the USA at the upcoming 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi held March 14 - 21!
Over 7,500 athletes from 192 countries will compete in 24 different individual and team sports. We're proud to be represented by such outstanding athletes! Let's go Team Utah!
Here are 2 ways you can support the team!
2) Watch the competition from home! ESPN will be presenting live coverage with nightly re-caps. Follow us on
social media
for tune-in updates.
Let's #Cheer4USA
|
|
 |
Bret Giebel has been swimming competitively since the age of 12 when he started with the Box Elder Swim Team (BEST) in Brigham City, Utah. He continued to compete on various teams including the Weber High School swim team and Unified Sports track team, where he graduated in May of 2018. He now continues to swim with the Piranhas Swim Team in Ogden, Utah, where he's preparing for his first Special Olympics World Games! Part of his training will involve his mom and coach Jennifer, who was a sprint freestyle swimmer in the 50m and 100m at Brigham Young University. His father Kim, older brother KC and younger sister Courtney round out his support system. His favorite stroke is the Butterfly. When Bret is not swimming, he loves playing other sports and fishing! He roots for Seattle teams, especially the Seahawks and Mariners. He loves to watch his role model, Michael Phelps compete; and hopes to meet him someday. His favorite foods to eat are pizza and seafood although not together. He drives himself to work at Deseret Industries, where he works part-time. When he is not working, or training, Bret loves to play video games, pickle ball and hang out with his friends. He is excited for all the new friends he will meet while representing Utah and the United State in Abu Dhabi!
|
|
|
|
Ryan Dilg began swimming when he was very young. He competed on his high school swim team and later with Special Olympics Utah. He has also competed in athletics, basketball, bocce, soccer, and volleyball. At Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, he will compete in athletics. Ryan makes friends everywhere he goes. A renaissance man, Ryan also plays the piano, teaches a Sunday school class for 6 and 7 year olds, has an auto mechanics certificate and works at the commissary full-time at the Hill Air Force Base in Clearfield, Utah. He still finds time to mow the lawn, which he says he enjoys! That is, when he isn't busy playing with his nieces and nephews, and his dog Zippy. With all those children and animals to chase around, it's no wonder Ryan's ready to hit the track in March!
|
|
|
|
Sporting Events
3/14 - 3/21
Community Events
Enjoy $2 root beer floats every Friday and Saturday in March @ all Harmons Neighborhood Grocer locations in support of Special Olympics Utah!
|
|
|
Staying Hydrated in the Winter!
|
Water is vital to our health and our bodies depends on it for survival. Every cell, tissue and organ (our heart, brain and muscles) relay on water in order to function properly. Water carries nutrients to your cells, removes unwanted waste and helps our bodies to maintain its temperature.
Many of us don’t get enough water during the winter months because unlike the summer months and its warmer temperatures we don’t feel the urge to drink water in cold temperatures.
Everyone is different but most people should drink 6-8 glasses a day (glasses should be at least 8- ounces). Our
Fit 5 Guide
suggests that we drink 5 glasses each day.
As you increase your physical activity it is important to also increase your daily water intake. Those that exercise on a daily basis or those that exercise at a high intensity should consumer even more water since we lose water through sweating.
|
|
The #UnifiedGeneration at work
|
|
On February 12th, Special Olympics Utah athlete Addie Morley from South Jordan, UT joined other Special Olympics athletes from the United States at our nation's capitol. Addie shared with congressional representatives the importance of Unified Sports in High Schools and Healthy Athletes programs within Special Olympics events.
She was joined by her mother, who shared how Special Olympics Utah made a difference in their lives. Thank you for sharing your stories on behalf of all athletes and families!
Amazing work by the
#UnifiedGeneration
!
|
|
Special Olympics Utah athlete Addie Morley and Utah State Representative Ben McAdams
|
|
A look back: 2019 Polar Plunges and Snowshoe Invitational
|
|
|
|
January and February were fun and busy months for our athletes as they participated in Polar Plunge events and the 2019 Snowshoe Invitational.
On January 19th and 26th - Special Olympics Utah hosted the annual Polar Plunge events in North Ogden and Downtown Salt Lake City.
Raising over $12,000 collectively, athletes, fans, friends, and families got bold and cold as they took the plunge in support of Special Olympics Utah!
Special thanks to our sponsors and community support:
Northern Utah: Harmons Neighborhood Grocers, Grant Trucking, Pobanz Orthodontics, North Ogden City and Golds Gym.
Salt Lake City: Harmons Neighborhood Grocers, The RSL Foundation, Real Salt Lake, The Monarchs, The Royals, The Thomas Family and IPS1 Promotional Products.
It was a great month to get Freezin' for a Reason! Thank you to all who participated!
|
|
2019 Snowshoe Invitational
|
On February 2, 2019, Special Olympics Utah saw the return of snowshoeing as a winter sport with the commencement of the 2019 Snowshoe Invitational at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center.
Over 65 athletes competed in events ranging from 10m to 1600m races. It was a beautiful winter day in Utah and a great day for competition, sport, unified play and inclusion.
We are grateful to our volunteer leadership team, day of event volunteers, our venue hosts, and staff for their time and assistance in executing a stellar event.
And finally, and certainly not least, a shout out of heartfelt appreciation to our very Generous Anonymous Donor for making this possible. The sheer joy and excitement on the athletes faces as they competed, and in a world class Olympic venue no less, priceless! Our hearts our full!
|
|
|
Join the conversation
#ChooseToInclude
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
