MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Scorpions Special Olympics Bocce team concluded their season while hosting the East Regional Bocce Competition over the weekend. By the end of the competition Saturday, the Scorpions claimed three bronze, three silver, and two gold medals. 

“They did really well,” said assistant coach Ruth Ann Lunderville. “I was the head coach this time and everybody melded.” 

The usual head coach, Shane Lunderville, had taken up a position as an official during the regional, which allowed Ruth Ann to step into the coaching position.

“It was really good, the athletes are great,” said Ruth Ann. “They really want to participate, they really want to play and it’s really just about getting them on (and off) the field, making sure they’re staying hydrated because of the heat and making sure they have good sportsmanship the whole time.” 

Despite weather conditions preventing the Scorpions from practicing leading up to the event, Moses Lake’s athletes claimed eight medals.  

In doubles, the Moses Lake Crawl team of Abigail Marick and Ashley Allriee and the Moses Lake Sting team of Rosemary Wells and Kyleigh Mickel both claimed silver medals in their brackets.  

For singles, Rachel Newhouse, Brandon Sovpa and Isaac Lunderville earned bronze medals, Nate Henninger earned silver and Ben Goebel and Kirk Wells earned gold. 

“We’re so proud of them,” said Ruth Ann. “They work really hard to accomplish this. Having all of them medal is quite an accomplishment.” 

Hosting in Moses Lake also provided a perfect spot according to the coaches as Cascade Park held all 18 courts for the Special Olympics largest East Regional Bocce Competition. By the time the competition started, the fields were in perfect condition to play. 

Stepping into an officiating role while his team competed brought a unique challenge for Shane on Saturday.  

“I’ve been coaching for over five years now, and it’s been quite the role to do that,” he said. “But as an official you kind of have to put off your, ‘Go Moses Lake’ to just be there to support all you can.” 

Due to the other official on staff running into medical issues, Shane ended up working as the sole member of the officiating crew for regionals. Shane said he made sure to take enforcing the rules and making sure each game ran fairly and smoothly very seriously. 

Even with the officiating shortage at the competition, he said everything went well on the organizing aspect.  With the help of the volunteers and cooperation from teams, the bocce competition concluded as a great success. 

“Everybody was cheering for each other and they were just encouraging each other,” said Ruth Ann. “The parents were really supportive of all the athletes as well. They were able to shake hands or do fist bumps with all their opponents and everybody just had a fantastic attitude even with the heat.” 

The East Regional marked the end of the Special Olympics Bocce season and the players are preparing to begin their bowling season. The coaches said that this year of bocce was a great success for the Scorpions as they look to return next year. 

“I think it was nice to see them finish strong, knowing that we had some cancelled (practices) the last few weeks because of smoke,” said Shane. “We had that last practice and I just told them, ‘Don’t give up, finish strong,’ and they did.” 

    Scorpions bocce player Kirk Wells, right, stands proud wearing his gold medal from the USA games while also receiving a gold for the regionals.
  

    Nate Henninger from the Scorpions bocce team gives a thumbs up and proudly wears his silver medal earned at the regional competition
  

    Moses Lake’s Ashley Allerrie and Abigail Marick gleefully stand together after earning silver medals for doubles in the regional bocce competition.
  

    Isaac Lunderville from the Scorpions watches the ball he tossed roll across the grass during a bocce game Saturday. Lunderville claimed a bronze medal at regionals.
  

    Volunteers work throughout the day at the East Regional Bocce Competition to ensure everything ran smoothly.