Congratulations to the Ray-Pec Special Olympics basketball teams on a great performance at the Area Basketball Tournament on Jan. 18, 2025, in Belton! Ray-Pec teams brought home 4 silver medals, and Mia Benson won a gold medal in the wheelchair skills competition.
Athletes, volunteers, and coaches will compete at the Regional Tournament on March 1 in St. Joseph to try to qualify for the State Tournament on March 29 in St. Charles.
Thanks to Coaches Cara Hornbeck, Lora Kurzweil, Aaron Howlett, Catie Howlett, and Emma Howlett.
The Special Olympics Team pictured above won a Silver Medal in the Team Skills Competition. From left: Grayson Farmer, Kennadie Olvera, Wyatt Davis, Oliven Hornbeck, and Carter Nussbeck. This team was coached by Teacher Catie Howlett.
This team won a Silver Medal in the Unified 3-on-3 Competition:
From left: Kendyll Gethers (Volunteer Unified Partner), Sabrina Peek, Liam Nissen (Volunteer Unified Partner), Owen Vaughan, and Owen Hamm. The team is coached by Teacher Cara Hornbeck.
This team also won a Silver Medal in the Unified 3-on-3 Competition:
From left: Quinn Liberman, Coach Lora Kurzweil, Owen Vanzandt, and Liam Lambertz. Not pictured - Emery Vaughan (Volunteer Unified Partner).
This team Won a Silver Medal in the 3-on-3 Competition:
From left: Caleb Nelson, Breauanna Ruiz, and Trey Gethers. This team was coached by Aaron Howlett.
Mia Benson won a Gold Medal in the Wheelchair Skills Competition:
Mia Benson is pictured with Coach Emma Howlett.