Prestonsburg, Ky. – Special Olympics bowlers returned to Bowl Rite in Prestonsburg on Saturday, Oct. 22, for the Special Olympics Kentucky Area 3 & 9 Bowling Tournament. More than 50 athletes were expected to compete.
The tournament got under way with opening ceremonies at 8:50 am and singles competition at 9. Participants in the tournament bowl two games with total pin fall determining the winner in each division. Athletes who win their divisions and in some cases those who place second will advance to the State Bowling Tournament Dec. 3-4 in Louisville.
The Area 3 & 9 Bowling Tournament included Special Olympics athletes from Breathitt, Carter, Fleming, Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Mason Counties.
Among those who competed at the Area 3 & 9 Bowling Tournament will be Olive Hill’s Levi Oney, who won two gold and one bronze medal at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Fla., this past June
Bowling is one of the most popular sports Special Olympics Kentucky offers throughout the year, and generally draws more than 1,300 athletes statewide. The State Bowling Tournament is annually the largest individual sport competition on the Special Olympics Kentucky calendar.
For more information about the Area 3 & 9 Bowling Tournament or about the Special Olympics bowling program, contact Special Olympics Kentucky Director of Sports and Competition Holly Vincent at 502-695-8222 or via e-mail at hvincent@soky.org.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation in competitive events is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in Kentucky in 15 sports. In addition to its traditional sports competitions, Special Olympics also offers early childhood programming through the Young Athletes Program and medical screenings though the Healthy Athletes Initiative. Special Olympics Kentucky began as a one-day event in Louisville in 1970 and has expanded to serve more than 10,000 athletes statewide annually. Special Olympics celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the global movement in 2018.