March 5, 2020 -- The Columbus City Schools Special Olympics team competed at the first-ever Special Olympics Ohio Winter Indoor State Games, hosted by Bowling Green State University. CCS athletes traveled up to Bowling Green the weekend of February 21 through the 23rd, representing the Columbus Comets programs. A contingent of 42 athletes and 19 coaches attended the event, including our women's basketball team, competitive cheer team, as well as athletes competing in swimming and individual basketball skills.

CCS Basketball Skills athletes compete in passing, shooting and dribbling events, combining those individual disciplines to get their overall scores. All seven CCS athletes finished in the top five of their divisions, with two of the District's athletes being awarded a silver and bronze medal respectively. 

The women's basketball team lost their open game to Hamilton County in an intense defensive game: 28-26, in double overtime. They came back to compete the following day and gave a gutsy performance in the consolation game, but injuries and fatigue caught up with them in the second half. They ended up with a fourth-place finish in their division.

CCS' 12 swimmers completed in a wide variety of events, ranging in distance from 25m up to 100m as well as several relays. All 12 posted at least top-four finishes in each of their events and won a medal in at least one of their events.

The competitive cheerleading team had a great weekend. They won gold in their division in their first year competing. They also won the Cheer Spirit Award, which goes to the team who showed the most support and sportsmanship among all the teams that competed.

Besides competing at the Winter Games, District athletes had a great weekend of enjoying each other’s company as well as getting to spend a weekend away from home.

Festivities began Friday night with an Olympic-style opening ceremony, which included a parade of athletes and lighting of the torch. Besides the competitions Saturday, CCS athletes also got to attend University Village, which is similar to a mini midway at a carnival. They also went to Healthy Athletes, a series of fitness tests to take and win various prizes.  Saturday night concluded with a dance and social.

CCS congratulates all athletes on their participation and achievement!