Softball is a Family Affair for the Koughans at the Special Olympics Canada Games
Softball has always been a way of life for the Koughan family. This week 3 members of the Koughan family are member of Team PEI Softball at the Special Olympics Canada Games. Jordan Koughan is competing as an athlete with the support of this father, Charlie, and sister, MacKenzie Gallant on the Softball coaching staff.
Jordan has been a Special Olympics athlete for 18 years, participating and competing in a range of sports over the years. For the past 10 years Jordan has participated in the Charlottetown Softball program. About 3 years ago Jordan decided he wanted to become more competitive in the sport.
While Jordan has attended 2 previous Special Olympics Canada Games, these Games are his first time competing in Softball. Since starting with Team PEI Softball, Charlie says that Jordan has improved in every aspect of the game.
He bonds with his teammates a lot, which is what Sharon and I want to see. Our entire family is big on softball, so we're behind him 100%. This is a great experience for him.
I love softball because we have fun. I have the best coaches in the world. I love my dad and my sister. We had fun today
Charlie and MacKenzie, both Assistant Coaches for Team PEI Softball, are both attending their first Special Olympics Canada Games in a coaching capacity. MacKenzie says she didn't know what to expect heading into this week.
It's been a long week, and there's been highs and lows. It's been fun, and I am happy to be here with both of them. Jordan has worked hard. To be able to show up in these big moments...I'm just very proud of him.
MacKenzie grew up playing softball. In fact all three of Jordan's sisters played softball, and Jordan was always in the crowd cheering them on.
He's supported us for a long time while we were competing, so it's nice that he's having his time to shine.
Jordan's mother, Sharon, and MacKenzie's husband, Chase, also made the trip to Medicine Hat to cheer on Jordan. Sharon has been a mainstay in the stands, while Chase has taken on an active role in volunteering to keep the stats for the team.
To wrap up their first Special Olympics Canada Games, Team PEI Softball played in the Bronze medal game asking Saskatchewan. Team PEI has faced some strong opponents throughout the Games, and have had some tough games.
It was a slow start for us. We had a few injuries, and their was a couple of players come in today that hadn't played a lot in the playoff round, and they came through for us in key times. By the third inning, the team had scored a few runs, and we were just off to the races from there.