A correction was added to this article Oct. 19.

Due to a reporting error by a photographer, Emily Kincart was misidentified as Emily Rincart in a photo accompanying the Oct. 18 article ‘Athletes have fun, learn teamwork at Special Olympics Iowa tourney.’ The Daily regrets this error.It may often sound trite, but winning truly isn’t everything.

Just ask the athletes from the 45 teams who participated in the 27th annual Special Olympics Iowa Volleyball Tournament hosted by Iowa State on Saturday.

The tournament, played on the courts at the Forker Building, gave more than 350 handicapped athletes from around the state the opportunity to bring home a medal and, more importantly, have some fun in the process.

“It’s good exercise, and we have a great time,” said Douglas Franta, a 26-year-old Cedar Rapids native and Special Olympics Iowa participant. Douglas participates in both volleyball and swimming and stresses the importance of teamwork.

“I’ve learned a lot from my teammates and coach,” he said.

Douglas’ team, the Bumpers, is coached by Lynne Steverme, also of Cedar Rapids. Steverme has coached Special Olympics participants for five years in a wide variety of sports, including weightlifting, track and field, softball and volleyball.

The Bumpers compete in two big tournaments a year, and Steverme treasures the time she spends with the team.

“It’s very rewarding just watching these athletes succeed and have fun,” she said.

With so many teams participating in the tournament, organizing and coordinating the event can become an enormous undertaking. Much of this task falls on the shoulders of Pam Wagner, vice president of games and competition for Special Olympics Iowa.

Wagner has helped the Special Olympics grow throughout her 20 years with the organization. Currently, Special Olympics Iowa helps 11,000 athletes around the state participate annually in 22 sports.

Aside from coordinating the athletic competitions, Wagner said, Special Olympics Iowa also organizes opening and closing ceremonies for its events, as well as banquets, dances and even an Olympic Village for the summer games.

Wagner also expressed her gratitude for Iowa State’s involvement in the Special Olympics organization.

Iowa State has hosted a number of Special Olympics Iowa events aside from the annual volleyball tournament. The Maple-Willow-Larch dorms served as the home of the Olympic Village for the Special Olympics’ summer games held in May.

“Iowa State University is the best friend Special Olympics Iowa has,” Wagner said.

ISU students also had a hand in helping the volleyball tournament run smoothly. Jenny Smith, vice president of the Health and Human Performance Club, worked to find volunteers and secure donations for the event.

Smith said that the Health and Human Performance Club has always helped organize the volleyball tournament.

“It’s the high point of the club each year,” she said.

Both the ISU softball and gymnastics teams volunteered to help with the tournament as well.

Diana Reuter, member of the ISU softball team, said that she, her teammates, and the gymnastics team volunteered to work as officials and line judges for the tournament.

Reuter said she was concerned about how athletes are labeled as individuals who care little for their community, so she decided to volunteer to help Special Olympics Iowa.

“I think it’s really important that everyone should get involved and help out,” she said.