SOTX's Kristen Rauch Earns 3rd Place at Xperience Tennis Invitational

By Steve Helm

Area 4’s Kristen Rauch was one of 32 athletes from around the country, who got the chance to travel to Charlottesville, Va. for the Special Olympics Xperience Tennis Invitational. The annual three-day event for elite Special Olympics athletes (Level 6 and higher) was held Jan. 14-17 at the Boar's Head Sports Club. Participants competed in a round-robin tournament, University of Virginia tennis clinic and community doubles play.

Rauch placed 3rd at the Xperience Tennis Tournament in her group of 8 athletes. Thirteen states were represented - plus two athletes from Switzerland.  

"She had a wonderful time - seeing old friends and making new friends," her mother Rose Rauch told SOTX.