COLUMBUS - A brand new Columbus High School team is preparing for its first meet this week.

Columbus High School is fielding a Unified Bowling team for the first time ever this year, which gives children with special needs an opportunity to compete in a team sport. Head coach and special ed teacher Jackie Eikhoff says it took the right amount of support from school administrators to put the team together. 

"A lot of our special needs athletes are in Special Olympics, but they weren't able to participate in athletics through the high school," Eikhoff said. "Basically, it gives our students with disabilities a chance to be an athlete within our school district, with partners that don't have disabilities."

Not only do the athletes have a blast at practices twice-a-week, but Eikhoff says there has been strong support from parents and the partners who have helped out since the team started.

"The parents are thrilled because a lot of these kids want to be involved in things and they love being part of  a team, so the parents were excited about it and on-board right away," Eikhoff said. "Those that are partners have really learned that it doesn't matter if you're a good bowler or not to be part of this team, it's just about supporting each other and having fun."

Eikhoff says the opportunity for special needs athletes to be involved in a team sport will help them grow as individuals in the future.

"Throughout their lives they've maybe been a little more sheltered, and maybe haven't had the opportunities that every other kid has had," Eikhoff said. "Being able to get out here and be part of a team with people that they already know from school is going to make them stronger as an adult in the community."

The team will be competing in its first meet this Wednesday at 6:00 PM at Westbrook Lanes in Columbus. Due to the recent creation of the team, it will be the only meet Columbus will compete in before heading to York on December 3rd for a District meet. 

Anyone interested in learning more about Columbus Unified Bowling can contact Eikhoff or Columbus Activities Director Tim Kwapnioski.