RATHDRUM — The Sandpoint Wolves Special Olympics team spent Saturday putting together a fantastic showing at bocce and softball at Majestic Park. 

Sandpoint faced off against teams from Coeur d’Alene, Moscow, Lewiston, the Silver Valley and Bonners Ferry.  

The Wolves’ duos were dominant in the bocce tournament. Sandpoint’s Chelsea Dennis and Caitlin Bayles, nicknamed the Bocce Bellas, took first in division one while John Painter and Bob Liectman, the Bocce Bandits, placed first in division two. In the third division, Hayley Thompson and Laura Cromwell, the Rolling Rocketts, aced their games to take home first place as well. 

The Bocce Belladonnas, Michelle Couldry and Denice Mead, placed second. Kyle Horowitz and Lukas Birdsell, the Bocce Barracudas, placed fourth in level four after five grueling games. Sandpoint’s newest pair, Kevin Collins and Elliot Ball, the Rocket Rollers, placed fifth in division six. 

On the softball side, Billy Freeman played for the Moscow team, which won their division. 

“Everybody worked hard, improved their skills and demonstrated good sportsmanship. I'm so proud of all of them,” Sandpoint’s head coach Chris Painter said.  

Painter named Liectman the MVP of the day for his hard work and positive attitude. 

“He is my MVP pick for demonstrating the Special Olympics traits of skill, courage and joy to the fullest,” Painter said. 

    The Bocce Bandits, Bob Liectman ( sitting) John Painter (standing) First place. Next to the second place team from Moscow. Each of their games ended in a tie and the Bandits broke this last tie with three points. One from John and two from Bob.