SOMO News

JEFFERSON CITY – The Firley YMCA in Jefferson City was full of excitement as the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) State Pickleball Tournament took place on July 27. Running from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, the event brought together the largest group yet for this sport! Let’s take a closer look at the standout moments and these amazing athletes.

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that has become a favorite among SOMO athletes. Known for its inclusive nature and easy-to-learn rules, pickleball has provided a new avenue for athletes of all abilities to shine. The SOMO State Pickleball Tournament is a testament to this growing enthusiasm.

“Our SOMO athletes are full of energy and positive competitiveness and so are pickleball players. The tournament showed that combining the two groups made sheer magic. From the volunteers to the coaches and Unified Players, it brought together pickleball enthusiasts from all over the state for the love of the game.”

– Jennie Petterson

The event was a huge success, and all the athletes had a wonderful time.  This would not happen without the numerous volunteers, the YMCA and our dedicated staff.

– Craig hall, director of competition and outreach

This is only the second year that SOMO has offered pickleball in its programs and it has been a huge success! Be sure to check the calendar to view upcoming events related to this sport in your area.

The success of the event was made possible by the incredible support from the Jefferson City community. Thank you to the many volunteers who dedicated their time to ensure everything ran smoothly, from setting up courts to cheering on the athletes. A special thank you to all of our amazing sponsors!

Statewide Partners: Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC), Diamond Pet Foods, Rusty Drewing, Knights of Columbus, University of Missouri System, University of Missouri and MU Health Care.