The team is organized through the Special Olympics Unified Sports program, which “promotes social inclusion,” and “a quick path to friendship and understanding” between intellectually disabled athletes and those without those disabilities by joining them in sports.

Wilsonville’s team has no shortage of opponents, as there are more than 8,300 schools with Unified teams throughout the country.

The October 17 game against the Sherwood Bowmen soccer team is a great example of the sportsmanship involved, creating a good experience and having fun is the main goal, with winning almost an afterthought for coaches. The other team’s success is just as important as their own, and they earn the same praise from coaches and players as their teammates.

While teams do attempt to equalize things somewhat, in this case, Wilsonville didn’t exactly play their hardest against Sherwood due to having more players, it doesn’t feel patronizing, Wilsonville won 9-7 and did their best to make the game competitive for both teams. 

Instead of creating sportsmanship by letting the other team win, Wilsonville did so through mutual respect. Throughout the game, they cheered each other on by name, players complimented each other throughout the game, and they even gave the traditional “One, Two, Three” chant with the team’s mascot for Sherwood.

At one point, both teams even paused to try to encourage a player on Sherwood’s team who didn’t feel up to playing, respecting his decision not to. 

In a league where the main idea is creating an atmosphere of excitement and fun, as well as promoting cooperation and respect, the full complexities of soccer aren’t transferred over: The teams consist of five players and a goalkeeper, the pitch is significantly smaller, easily fitting on our softball field, and players are substituted freely throughout the game to allow everyone to get some time playing.

However, this doesn’t mean that the games are boring to watch, both teams’ players were putting their full effort into the game, and impressive plays made by both teams would be right at home in our more competitive games.

The Unified Wildcats’ coaches showed their enjoyment of their jobs and the game: Jared Alvarez, who teaches Health 2, says about the Sherwood game that he “felt good,” and the team “played really, really hard and had fun.”

Melissa Swagerty added that it was “one of our best games yet.” The players have “patience for the other team and great sportsmanship.”

At the end of the day, that’s what sports are really about, having fun and giving your best effort, which the Unified Wildcats have down to a science.