SANDUSKY — The Miami County Special Olympics softball team won bronze medals at the Special Olympics Ohio State Tournament on Sept. 10, 2022, at Sports Force Parks Cedar Point Sports Center in Sandusky.

The team traveled with Riverside staff and long-time volunteer coaches, Connie Teserovich, Keira Teserovich and Kristie Rittwage, who have led the team to success for more than 20 years.

“We are so proud of our team for making it so far this year, but it’s about so much more than just winning games,” said Krista Smith, Riverside’s Community Connections Manager/local coordinator for Miami County Special Olympics in a press release. “Opportunities like this open new doors for our athletes. Traveling and experiencing new things help them grow in confidence and independence. We are grateful for the opportunity this year, and we couldn’t do it without our donors and volunteers.”

Miami County Special Olympics is a program of the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities, known locally as Riverside. It is an affiliate of Special Olympics Ohio and the internationally recognized Special Olympics organization. Miami County Special Olympics offers a wide variety of year-round individual and team sports for anyone with an intellectual disability, ages 8 and older. Sports included are basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, powerlifting, golf and swimming.

Each program promotes athletes’ emotional, physical and social health and instills a strong work-ethic and sense of teamwork. Through successful experiences, athletes build confidence and a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, jobs and community. For more about Miami County Special Olympics or how to volunteer, visit www.riversidedd.org or call 937-440-3000.