South Region Stars

Practice

The Alpine Sports season typically begins in December. Practice is held at Afton Alps, with everyone meeting in the upper level of Paul's at 9:30 am.

Competition

Skiers and snowboarders participate in a qualifying meet and a state tournament. The qualifying meet allows Special Olympics of Minnesota to capture times so that athletes are placed in proper divisions at state. No dates have been announced yet.

Options

• Beginner: Glide Event
• Novice: Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom
• Intermediate: Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom
• Advanced: Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom

Contact

Rick Vance, Head of Delegation
Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team Coach
Direct: 763-4521370 Mobile: 952-210-8743
E-Mail: rick.vance@wdpi.com

Register

It is important for athletes to register for participation, whether competing in both the area and state level competitions, or just at the area meet. Don’t forget you also need an up-to-date application with Special Olympics of Minnesota.

Practice

Due to COVID-19 Special Olympics of Minnesota has cancelled the 2020 Summer Games, including all events for track and field, basketball, and swimming.  While we are disappointed that we can’t compete, we understand that this is for our safety.

Competition

There are two competitions: an area meet and a state tournament. Athletes must participate in the area meet to qualify to participate in the state tournament. Dates, times, and locations to be announced.

Options

As basketball is a TEAM SPORT, be aware that once the teams are formed only those players who plan to participate in the scheduled tournaments will be able to participate. This allows the teams to practice together as a “team”, which is essential to competition.  (We do this for all team sports now!)

• Gold Team: Full Court – very competitive and experienced players
• Blue Team: Full Court – still competitive, yet at a slower pace.
• White Team: Full Court – more of a beginning Full Court team.
• Unified Team: Full Court – non-Special Olympics athletes play alongside full court athletes
• Half Court (3-on-3) Teams: – not quite ready for Full Court yet.
• Skills: compete in shooting, passing, and dribbling

Contact

Jamie Lerbs
jlerbs1@msn.com

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

What is Bocce?

When bocce was added as a state level Special Olympics sport in Minnesota in 2002, 18 athletes participated.  Today thirty-four Minnesota delegations currently offer athletes the opportunity to train and compete in bocce.   In bocce, athletes roll a bocce ball to get closer to the target ball (called the pallina) than their opponents.

Practice

Begins in late June or early July – Time and Location – TBA

Competition

There are two competitions: an area meet and a state tournament. Athletes must participate in the area meet to qualify to participate in the state competition. Dates, times, and locations to be announced.

Options

Athletes can compete in up to two events:

• Individuals
• Doubles (two athletes playing together) *
• Unified Partners (one athlete and one partner without a disability) *

Contact

Liza Cuchna, Head Coach
liza.cuchna@yahoo.com
651-325-6657

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

Practice

In the past the team has bowled at Druklas in Inver Grove Heights. Dates and locations for 2020 are still to be determined.

Why

For FUN, of course.  Just come out bowl!  Or to COMPETE—but make sure to note this on your registration form!

Competition

There is one competition - the state competition. Dates and location are to be determined.

Options

• Singles
• Singles Ramp
• Unified Doubles
• Unified Doubles Ramp

Please note:

Athletes can register for both Singles AND Unified Doubles. Athletes who register for Ramp Bowling and need an assistant may have an assistant with them at the lane. When registering, please note if an assistant is needed.

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

What is Unified Flag Football

Unified Flag Football is a team sports that combines the skills of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.  Playing together is a quick path to friendship, understanding, and inclusivity.

Practice

As with all of our sports, time and locations are to be determined due to the coronavirus.

Competitions

Also, to be determined.

Options

Teams will be arranged at practice

• Athletes who are beginning players or who are still learning, MUST have their staff/parents stay at the field with them throughout the practice for safety reasons.
• If we do not have enough volunteers/coaches, then parents/staff will be asked to assist with their athlete’s team, so that we have enough help to accommodate everyone who registers.  If we do not get help from parents/staff, we will need to limit the number of participants in FB!

Contact

Marcie Padgett
coachmarcie@comcast.net

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

Practice

Floor Hockey practice typically begins in October; however, due to coronavirus we may need to limit the season and practice locations. As we know more information, we will post it here.

Competition

There are two competitions in Floor Hockey:  the Area tournament and the State tournament.  These dates are determined by Special Olympics of Minnesota and are yet to be determined.

Options

As floor-hockey is a TEAM SPORT, once the teams are formed only those players who plan to participate in the scheduled tournaments will be able to participate in the softball program. This allows the teams to practice together as a “team”, which is essential to competition. We look forward to another great season of practices and tournaments!

• GOLD Team: very competitive and experienced players only/Top Division
• WHITE Team: becoming more competitive yet still improving their skills.
• BLUE Team: leaning towards recreational play but improving fast!
• RED Team: beginning players; less competitive; still learning skills and rules
• (Occasionally we have an option to practice on a separate team; however, it is only available if gym space exists and we have enough coaches.)

Contact

Marcie Padgett
coachmarcie@comcast.net

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

Practice

Softball practice typically begins in late April or early May; however, due to the coronavirus we may need to limit the season and practice locations. As we learn more,we will post the information here.

Competition

There are two competitions in Softball:  the Area tournament and the State tournament.  These dates are determined by Special Olympics of Minnesota and are yet to be determined.

Options

As softball is a TEAM SPORT, once the teams are formed only those players who plan to participate in the scheduled tournaments will be able to participate in the softball program. This allows the teams to practice together as a “team”, which is essential to competition. We look forward to another great season of practices and tournaments!

• GOLD Team: very competitive and experienced players (requires an additional $25 fee to cover team play in the Inver Grove Heights Men’s Softball League)
• WHITE or GREEN Teams: more recreational play, yet still at a good skill level; working on improving skills through playing games
• BLUE or RED Teams: more learning needed
• T-BALL Team: beginners only

Contact

Marcie Padgett
coachmarcie@comcast.net

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete. This needs to be updated every three years. And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

Our Purpose

The South Region Stars is a competitive team, so we don’t teach athlete’s how to swim; rather we teach them ways to swim faster and more efficiently.  That said, we offer a host of events for those who need assistance in the pool to the more advanced racers.

Practice

Swimming is considered a summer sport, although practices usually begins in March.  At this time we aren’t able to say for certain when swimming will begin and where it will be held.

Competition

As with most of our sports, there are two competitions in swimming – the Area Competition and the State Competition.  Athletes who want to participate at State meet must swim in the Area Competition first.

Options

Swimmers can choose to swim in three individual races and one relay or two individual races and two relays

• Assisted swims: 15M, 25M, 50M
• Flotation swims: 15M, 25M
• Freestyle: 15M, 25M, 50M, 100M, 200M, 400M
• Backstroke: 25M, 50M, 100M
• Breaststroke: 25M, 50M, 100M
• Butterfly: 25M, 50M, 100M
• Individual Medley: 100M
• 4 x 25M Relay (four swimmers each swim one lap)
• 4x25M Unified Relay (four swimmers, two with and two without an intellectual disability)

Contact

Liza Cuchna, Head Coach
liza.cuchna@yahoo.com
651-325-6657

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to compete.

Practice

Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. Practices begin in late April or early May (depending upon the weather); however at this time the season is yet to be determined.

Competitions

There are two track and field competitions: the Area Meet and the State Meet. Athletes must participate in the Area Meet to qualify for state.

Options

Track Events

• 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 Meter
• 4 x 100 Traditional and Unified Relays
• 400, 800 and 1,500 Meter Walks

Field Events

• High Jump
• Running Long Jump
• Shot Put
• Multi-Event
• Pentathlon (100 Meters, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, 400 Meters)

Wheelchair Events

• 10 and 25 Meter Wheelchair
• 30 Meter Wheelchair Slalom
• 30 and 50 Meter Motorized Slalom
• 25 Meter Motorized Wheelchair Obstacle
• 100 Meter Wheelchair

The following events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels:

• 10 Meter Assisted Walk
• 25 Meter Assisted Walk-Dash
• 50 Meter Assisted Walk-Dash
• Softball and Tennis Ball Throw
• Standing Long Jump

Contact

Marcie Padgett
coachmarcie@comcast.net

Register

Remember that you must have an up-to-date application on file with Special Olympics of Minnesota before you will be allowed to practice and compete.  This needs to be updated every three years.  And make sure to check your calendar for conflicts before you register to complete.

Don't forget that the Special Olympics Minnesota application must be completed (including the physical) and on file at the SOMN office.  Returning athletes - you also need to complete the application in its entirety every three years.  (The SOMN application is not the same as the sport registration form.)