Mar. 30—MITCHELL — For the 40th year, athletes from across South Dakota gathered in Mitchell for the Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament, an event that brought together more than 1,000 players, coaches and Unified partners for a weekend of competition.
The tournament was held March 29-30 at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell Middle School and Mitchell High School. It opened with a ceremony at the Corn Palace Saturday morning, where delegations from across the state were introduced during the Parade of Athletes. The ceremony also included the lighting of the Cauldron, a welcome from Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson and the presentation of the 2024 Coach of the Year and Athlete of the Year awards.
"This tournament is about more than just basketball," said Jill Kvanli, marketing manager for Special Olympics South Dakota. "It's about teamwork, sportsmanship and giving these athletes an opportunity to shine."
The 2025 tournament included more than 760 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners — individuals without intellectual disabilities who compete alongside Special Olympics athletes — along with more than 260 coaches. Teams competed in various divisions, including 5-on-5 games, 3-on-3 matchups, cheerleading and individual basketball skills contests, which tested athletes in dribbling, shooting and passing.
Special Olympics is open to individuals ages 8 and older with intellectual disabilities. The organization provides year-round athletic training and competition to promote physical fitness and community engagement for participants.
Mitchell hosted the state basketball tournament for the second consecutive year after the 2024 event was shortened due to weather. The city has also hosted Special Olympics South Dakota's Fall Classic, featuring softball and bocce tournaments. Next year's basketball tournament will be held in Sioux Falls.
Two awards were presented during the event. The Ron Stewart Award, which recognizes coaches who have demonstrated dedication to Special Olympics athletes, was given to Karla Miles of the Pierre Wildcats.
"Everyone who spends time at Special Olympics events knows Karla," said Master of Ceremonies Jody Grubb. "She's the one always dressed in a goofy outfit and smiling — always smiling. She's the coach who makes everything more fun for everyone."
The Spirit of a Champion Award went to Colton Miles, also of the Pierre Wildcats, for his leadership and involvement in Special Olympics activities.
"Colton is an amazing leader and mentor to younger athletes," Grubb said. "He assists with practices and leads activities he doesn't enjoy himself just to help his teammates. He works hard to be the best athlete he can be, and everything he does is with a smile on his face and joy in his heart."
As part of the opening ceremony, Mitchell athlete Aaron Krouse carried in the Flame of Hope, a long-standing Special Olympics tradition.
This year's tournament had more athletes, teams and coaches than any previous year, according to Kvanli. Teams from Aberdeen, Brandon, Brookings, Hayti, Huron, Milbank, Parkston, Pierre, Rapid City, Redfield, Sioux Falls, Sisseton, Spearfish, Vermillion, Watertown and Yankton competed in the event.
Among the champions crowned were the Sioux Falls Lancers in the Senior Unified Class 2 UM7 division, NESC Senior #1 from Hayti in the Schooler/Senior Unified Class 2 UM2 division, Sioux Falls Roosevelt White in the Schooler Unified Class 2 UM4 division, and Roosevelt Cardinal in the Schooler Unified Class 2 UM3 division. In the Junior Unified Class 2 UM1 division, NESC Junior #1 emerged as the victor.
Mitchell Tigers team played in the playoffs against Sioux Falls Fireworks Whistlers in its division, Traditional ...
