National Games Blog - July 21, 2010

I want to start off by saying that I think Lincoln, Nebraska has the friendliest people I have ever met. No matter where you go everyone is genuine, asks how your stay has been and wishes you well. The volunteers at the Games are so helpful and have completely gone out of their way to ensure all of the athletes, coaches, families, spectators, etc. enjoy their experience at these Games. So thank you to the folks in Lincoln.

I will delve right into it…our team sports are on fire. I hope I don’t jinx them but so far softball, basketball and volleyball are all UNDEFETED! The basketball team had the closest game so far today when they faced Indiana. The Hoosiers were slightly bigger than Team Ohio but we defeated them in a very close game 27 - 21. The sluggers at softball beat Alabama 25 – 13 and Illinois 28 -6. The volleyball team enjoyed a day off as they have three back to back matches tomorrow at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

The medals have started rolling in for the individual sports. At the bocce venue the four person team earned the silver medal. Today, both the female and male doubles took 3rd place. Over at bowling, the women earned the bronze medal today and Aaron and Cody won 6th place in doubles competition.

Over at tennis Megan, Josh, Michael and James are having fun and toughing out some close matches. Today some athletes played tie-breakers instead of regular matches (due to weather) and James won his match 8-6, 2-7, 8-6 and Josh won 7-3, 7-2. Megan Daugherty continued her winning streak in singles and won 4-1, 4-1 and Michael Davis lost a heartbreaker by 0 -4, 5 –3, 7-5. The Doubles team of Reiter/Davis lost straight sets of 1-4, 1-4. One thing to remember when you visit the tennis venue…turn off your cell phone or put it on vibrate. There is zero tolerance and the athletes could be penalized!

The golfers finished competition today and here are the results …our female Unified Team of Nelson/Edgin, Eric earned the gold medal in singles (18 hole) and Andrew earned the bronze in singles (9 hole). Just to note they separated our ladies Unified Team out of the mix and created a female division. Had they left them with the “all male” division they would have earned the bronze and beat out a few male teams! Thanks to the Diane (and Linda for coordinating) who drove me out on the course to locate our golfers. I would have been lost for hours!

Tomorrow our final powerlfiters will take the stage…literally, all of the team sports will play, finals will takc place in athletics and aquatics and bowling and team sports will be in the medal rounds.

It has been hectic yet fun keeping up with Team Ohio. They are definitely on the go and having fun along the way!

Paige Ludwig
Marketing & Development Director

Posted: 2010-07-21