Third Annual Softball Tournament Spreads Awareness of Mental Health
Writer / Demi Lawrence
On September 17, the Peyton Reikhof Foundation for Youth Hope held their third annual “Play for Peyton” softball tournament at Olio Fields. This tournament is held in honor of Peyton Reikhof who took her own life in 2013 at the age of 18. Dedicated to spreading awareness about mental health to athletes, coaches and parents alike, Peyton’s family and the foundation hold a one-day tournament every year with guest speakers and a free lunch.
This year, the guest speaker was Dr. Rob Bell, who is well known around the nation for his books, “No Fear” and “The Hinge,” both of which talk about mental toughness. He spoke with the young girls about being a good teammate, putting ‘good in’ in order to get ‘good out’ and so many other valuable life lessons. Nearly 40 teams registered for the tournament, from age groups 10U all the way to 18U, and though the weather was dreary, it could never dampen the spirits and love that filled the atmosphere.
To learn more about the Peyton Reikhof Foundation for Youth Hope, visit their website at thepeytonriekhoffoundation.com.
