National Unified Tournament shares stage alongside Open Championships
March 01, 2024
LAS VEGAS – The Special Olympics National Unified Tournament returned for its 32nd edition this week to give more than 300 athletes representing 17 different states a chance to compete on the national level as part of the first week of the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The event took place Feb. 28 and 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza, starting with a team event on Day 1 and doubles on Day 2. Each day featured two squads, and each team was made of two Special Olympians and their unified partners.
Teams and doubles pairings competed for medals based on their division.
The National Unified Tournament is an exceptional event where athletes can come and compete with the Special Olympics and have their own fun with friends from all over the United States.
“This is one of the few opportunities that these bowlers can come out and bowl a national event,” said event manager Marty Allen.
Allen, who has been part of this tournament since it started alongside the USBC Open Championships dating back to Toledo, Ohio, in 1991, loves coming back year after year, even though he has retired, because this is something that he simply loves doing.
“I keep doing this year after year because I love seeing the same athletes every year, the coaches I have gotten to know and getting to know the USBC folks,” said Allen.
The athletes that make their way to compete are bowling on a stage they normally do not get to experience, and Allen says, “It’s a thrilling event for them, since this may be their only time to come out and bowl nationally.”
In addition to the national stage, Allen also believes that the best part of the tournament is that “this is a great opportunity to make new friendships.”
This year’s tournament was extra special for some athletes because they were able to meet and receive their medals from Professional Women’s Bowling Association star Bryanna Coté. She has been able to take part in the event, spending time and meeting the athletes and families that have been bowling in the tournament.
She has had a great experience during her time at the tournament, saying, “Honestly, it has been pretty eye-opening.”
Being on the road for the PWBA Tour can be hard sometimes when it comes to giving back to the community, because of the amount of traveling that bowlers have to do, but Coté has persisted on trying to find that time, saying, “I want to give back to the sport that gave so much to me.
“The moments I love are when I get to make someone else’s day,” said Coté, describing some of her favorite parts of the National Unified Tournament. The experience also has allowed her to appreciate the chance to “just have fun, and just go bowl and not care about what anyone thinks.”
As the tournament came to a close Thursday, Coté thought about the possibility of being able to come back to the tournament and support these athletes and teams, saying, “If I am ever asked, I would love to come back. I was a little girl once, and I wanted to meet my idols, and I am so glad that I get to be that person for the athletes that are here.”
The USBC Open Championships kicked off its 120th edition Feb. 23, and action will pick up again March 2 with the tournament’s official opening ceremony.
The 2024 event will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The event took place Feb. 28 and 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza, starting with a team event on Day 1 and doubles on Day 2. Each day featured two squads, and each team was made of two Special Olympians and their unified partners.
Teams and doubles pairings competed for medals based on their division.
The National Unified Tournament is an exceptional event where athletes can come and compete with the Special Olympics and have their own fun with friends from all over the United States.
“This is one of the few opportunities that these bowlers can come out and bowl a national event,” said event manager Marty Allen.
Allen, who has been part of this tournament since it started alongside the USBC Open Championships dating back to Toledo, Ohio, in 1991, loves coming back year after year, even though he has retired, because this is something that he simply loves doing.
“I keep doing this year after year because I love seeing the same athletes every year, the coaches I have gotten to know and getting to know the USBC folks,” said Allen.
The athletes that make their way to compete are bowling on a stage they normally do not get to experience, and Allen says, “It’s a thrilling event for them, since this may be their only time to come out and bowl nationally.”
In addition to the national stage, Allen also believes that the best part of the tournament is that “this is a great opportunity to make new friendships.”
This year’s tournament was extra special for some athletes because they were able to meet and receive their medals from Professional Women’s Bowling Association star Bryanna Coté. She has been able to take part in the event, spending time and meeting the athletes and families that have been bowling in the tournament.
She has had a great experience during her time at the tournament, saying, “Honestly, it has been pretty eye-opening.”
Being on the road for the PWBA Tour can be hard sometimes when it comes to giving back to the community, because of the amount of traveling that bowlers have to do, but Coté has persisted on trying to find that time, saying, “I want to give back to the sport that gave so much to me.
“The moments I love are when I get to make someone else’s day,” said Coté, describing some of her favorite parts of the National Unified Tournament. The experience also has allowed her to appreciate the chance to “just have fun, and just go bowl and not care about what anyone thinks.”
As the tournament came to a close Thursday, Coté thought about the possibility of being able to come back to the tournament and support these athletes and teams, saying, “If I am ever asked, I would love to come back. I was a little girl once, and I wanted to meet my idols, and I am so glad that I get to be that person for the athletes that are here.”
The USBC Open Championships kicked off its 120th edition Feb. 23, and action will pick up again March 2 with the tournament’s official opening ceremony.
The 2024 event will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.