WASHOUGAL — Unified Sports takes Special Olympics athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and teams them with partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) to compete in soccer and basketball.
The Washougal High School Unified Sports team started last year, and has two upcoming tournaments they’re participating in: one today from 2 to 5 p.m. at Kelso High School, and one from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 13 at Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver.
The games are free to attend, but the teams haven’t had many fans in attendance yet.
“These kids are able to build friendships and camaraderie that you just can’t do in the classrooms,” Dani Allen, coach of Washougal’s basketball team, said in a release from the school. “Some of what you see can bring you to tears. The sportsmanship, the athletes, the partners’ interaction. It’s amazing.”
