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O/T My soccer state tournament with lots of photos
The tournament was fun for me. I enjoy going to the annual summer state games provided by Special Olympics.
The soccer games, however, were a disappointment. Part of the reason we lost the games is due to being a bit mismatched. My soccer team was made to play a team that is a higher level than us. That means we have to play harder to balance the game, which causes us to tire out faster, giving the other teams an advantage.
When I go to the state tournament, I usually have a good time there. On Friday, we settled in at the barracks, where we sleep at night, and then we head to the opening ceremonies. The ceremonies are usually the same. The teams were introduced one by one. Once everyone is in, there is a series of presentations and then a bit of entertainment. The torch is brought in and the blazer is lit. Then the games are announced open.
Saturday was when we had our soccer games. The first game was against a team that were too good for us. We lost one to six. If we played teams our level, we would have a different weekend. I went to do a few activities at the Olympic tent town on site next to the soccer fields. The second game was closer to our level, but only if we play hard. During the second game, we ran out of steam, and lost the game one to four. The rule is that once a team lost twice, then the team is out of the tournament and gets an appropriate award. If you saw my MySpace, and read my blogs, one of the blog was about the difficulties of Special Olympics sports.
In the evening, we went to the dance, and I met up with my old friend Delmar, who I used to see much more often than now.
On Sunday, since my team was eliminated, we simply hung out at the soccer fields and watch the other teams play, and then we went over to the stadium to see the track runners run track before going back home.
This is my seventh time going to soccer at Fort Lewis. I started in 2001, and I went there every year since except 2004.
Check out MySpace for pictures on my soccer tournament.
Regardless
It's good you enjoyed the tournament, though I guess a shame you guys were knocked out.
If there will be an 8th time, then good luck!
Yes, I did not enjoy the games this year. In fact, we were cheated out since we were forced to play teams better than us (we were meant to play teams our level). I enjoyed the other events (i.e. dance, the opening ceremony, meeting up with my old friends, fun activites) that the tournament provided.
Yes, I plan to play soccer again next spring, and we usually go to state. And when I go to state again, I hope for really easy games that we can easily win.
Regardless
It sounds like you had a good time. I've personally gotten to the point where winning and or losing pretty much affects me the same way, I have just as much fun no matter the outcome.
Here's hoping for more good experiences in the years to come.
Peace,
Ryan
Thanks for the statement. By the way, that was my third year in a row at state for soccer that we lost the first two games and gotten elimatinated from the tournament. This time, we got somewhat cheated out, since we were made to play teams stronger than us.
I hope next year, we get to play easy soccer games at state. I still had fun. The food I ate at the tournament is usually not all that great down there, however.
Regardless