This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
About 144 student-athletes are expected to participate Saturday in the Unified Soccer State High School Tournament at Hillcrest High.
Unified Sports is a registered program of Special Olympics International. It combines individuals with intellectual disabilities and those without intellectual disabilities (who are called partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Players compete side-by-side.
The event is co-sponsored by the Utah High School Activities Association and Special Olympics Utah. It and track and field are offered to Utah high school students in participating UHSAA member schools. This is a first-of-its-kind state meet in Utah.
Twelve Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports Soccer teams — representing the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind/Skyline combined team, Bingham, Wasatch, Hillcrest, Grantsville, Mountain Crest, Lone Peak, Brighton, Alta, Spanish Fork, Jordan and Sky View — will play starting at 11 a.m. Teams will play in three separate divisions based on season play results and compete for first- and second-place trophies.
Awards presentation is scheduled at 12:45 p.m.