Youngker High School Wins Special Olympics Arizona Unified Soccer State Championship
By: Niall Rosenberg
On February 9th, 2024 at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Arizona, the Silver Division Championship at the Special Olympics Arizona AIA Unified Soccer State Championships was played. This game was between Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Arizona, and Youngker High School in Buckeye, Arizona. This was one of two games played that day, with the Gold Division Championship, played between Willow Canyon High School, and Glendale High School.
This game was a rematch of last year’s contest where Estrella Foothills was able to come away with the victory. Both sides consist of Special Olympics athletes and their unified partners, all a part of the unified rules of the Special Olympics. Youngker High School was able to win this contest 1-0. The team was presented a banner, medals, and a plaque stating that they were the Silver Division champions.
Youngker High School Unified Soccer team holding 2024 Silver Division Soccer State Champions banner while decorated in medals, at Willow Canyon High School, on February 9th, 2024.
Niall Rosenberg
Winning gold is not the only reason these athletes and Unified partners compete in Special Olympics, it is a way to make friends and build connections with one another, regardless of their intellectual disabilities.
Two players, one Special Olympics athlete Noah Friedl and one unified partner Landen Edwards, have both been competing for Youngker High School in Special Olympics for about a year now. They were on the team that lost to Estrella Foothills a year prior.
Edwards touched on how Special Olympics has affected him and how he and his team have gotten closer together.
“It’s like a brotherhood with us over here. We like to be together, it’s helped us grow and include everyone,” Edwards said.
Noah Friedl expanded on what Edwards was saying by providing his own opinion on Special Olympics and winning the championship.
“It just feels nice to play with my friends and winning it with all you guys,” Friedl said while looking toward his teammate.
Youngker High School Special Olympics Athlete Noah Friedl holding the 2024 Silver Division State Championship plaque, at Willow Canyon High School, on February 9th, 2024.
Niall Rosenberg
A Special Olympics coach puts hours into inclusion, whether it be leading practices, or taking care of athletes come game day. They do this not because they want to win, they do it for the organization and what they stand for.
Emma Hull, coach of Youngker High School Unified Soccer, touched on this and her connection to the organization.
“It’s something I grew up being a part of, my brother was a part of Special Olympics his whole life. I wanted to make a difference and get kids involved and have people be inclusive and there is no difference between anyone,” Hull said.
The word inclusive and difference were two that Hull brought up when speaking about why she does what she does. Inclusion is one word that is always spoken of throughout all of Special Olympics, regardless of the state.
The message of this organization is to not look at a person with intellectual disabilities and rule them out, more often than not, they will surprise you.
A video detailing the Special Olympics Unified Soccer Silver Division Championship Game, with interviews from Special Olympics athlete Noah Friedl, unified partner Landen Edwards, and Youngker High School Head Coach Emma Hull, at Willow Canyon High School on February 9th, 2024.
Niall Rosenberg
Special Olympics Arizona accepts donations through its website. According to their website, donations are used for equipment, attire, and health supplies. For more information on the organization, visit resources.