Since December, the Special Olympics team has been practicing every Saturday. They had their first tournament on Jan. 12 at Belton. According to coach Pam Rohlfing, the team is actually split up into seven different teams and there are three Staley coaches: Rohlfing, Monte Harmon and Tammy Harmon. Rohlfing said that the team has grown tremendously since last year.

“We grew from 20 athletes to 44 athletes in one year,” said Rohlfing. “Because we’re getting so much bigger, it’s so much fun for the kids to have new teammates.”

Students on the team include freshmen Noah Harrison and Drew Carr, junior Aris Moon and senior Cory Stephens. According to Harrison, being on the team takes a lot of practice. He said his favorite sport is basketball and his favorite part is shooting.

“I love it,” said Harrison.

The Belton tournament was Harrison’s first tournament and he won a gold medal.

Last year was Tammy Harmon’s first year coaching Special Olympics. She said her previous coaching experiences were centered on winning and it is much different coaching the Special Olympics team.

“They don’t really care if they win or lose,” said Tammy Harmon. “They’re out there for the pure joy and fun of the game.”

The teams also include gen ed students juniors Austin Covey and Mark Slaughter and senior Mitchell Harmon.

“They get to play on the team,” said Rohlfing. “They keep the game going. They’re our heroes.”

Tammy Harmon encourages people to help with the team however they can.

“Sometimes I think people might be intimidated to get involved because it’s different,” said Tammy Harmon. “It really is very fulfilling and rewarding.”