GRAVES SOFTBALL TEAM EXCELS – The 14U Dream Team-97 opened its 2012 travel softball season recently in the Third Annual Girls Indoor Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament to benefit the Special Olympics at the Southern Illinois Center in DuQuoin.

Some 26 teams from Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee competed in the three-day tournament and raised more than $54,000 for the Special Olympics. The 14U Dream Team won the 16U age division championship, defeating the top state-ranked Rippers'96, St. Louis Fusion'95, Clarksville Patriots'96, and Southern Express'96, in addition to defeating Southern Steel'96, Southern Impact'96, and Southern Storm'96 to finish with a tournament record of 8-1.

The Dream Team members are pictured here with their championship trophy and medals as they display the team banner supporting their local Special Olympians of the Graves County Schools.

For more tournament information and updated 2012 photos, log on to www.southernillinoisindoorsoftball.org. The Dream Team thanks the Mayfield Wal-Mart and all those who graciously made donations supporting Dream Team 96 and 97 in their upcoming season and efforts to qualify for the ASA/USA Nationals this summer in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Pictured here, from left, are (front row) Kionna Waldon, Lindsey Whitlock, Dana Adkins, Rachel Ridolfi, Hannah Ridolfi, Tiffany Padon, Ashlee Orr, Haven Gary, (back row) Chelsea Fair, and McKenzie Johnson.