The Marion County Special Olympic athletes took part in the Regional Special Olympics Bowling competition, which was held Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13 at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines.

Marion County was represented at the event by eight individual bowlers with four bowlers taking part in the team category. Chase Robbins from Pleasantville and Jacob Hindman from Knoxville qualified for the state bowling competition in November. The team made up of Ben Heywood, Marissa Schletzbaum, Haley Stevens, and Michelle Turnage also qualified for the state competition as well. The State Bowling Competition was held on Saturday, November 18 at Bowlerama in Des Moines. Jacob Hindman received a 3rd Place Bronze Medal and Chase Robbins won the First Place Gold. In the team category, it was another First Place Gold Medal for the team of Ben Heywood, Marissa Schletzbaum, Haley Stevens, and Michelle Turnage.

Marion County was represented on Thursday October 12 by eight individual bowlers that competed within their age-groups for ribbons and placings.
Results from the competition on October 12 were:
Chase Robbins from Pleasantville – 1st Place (this qualified Chase for the State Bowling Competition in November)
Joe Morgan from Pleasantville – 2nd Place
Alex Alder from Pleasantville – 2nd Place
Tegan Ripperger from Pleasantville – 2nd Place
Stacia Mason from Knoxville – 2nd Place
Taylor Fearno from Pleasantville – 5th Place
Shawn Barker from Carlisle – 5th Place
Charlie Leavitt from Knoxville – 8th Place

On Friday October 13, four bowlers competed in the Regional Team category. The team of Ben Heywood, Marissa Schletzbaum, Haley Stevens, and Michelle Turnage bowled two games and won First Place. This qualified them for the State Bowling Competition on November 18.
In addition, two individual athletes competed on October 13:
Jacob Hindman from Knoxville – 1st Place (this qualified Jacob for the State Bowling competition)
Cameron Cross from Pleasantville – 2nd Place