SBPD PAL athletes return home from the AAU Junior Olympic Games

SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- It was a special return home Sunday for members of the South Bend Police Athletic League as they journeyed their way back to Michiana from the Lone Star State after competing in the A.A.U. Junior Olympic Games.

Families lined the streets outside of S.B.P.D. headquarters to welcome them home.

The young athletes not only brought home some hardware, but also lifelong memories.

"They had a lot of fun. We also put a lot of work in. So, some of the days we would get up early, head to the stadium, and one or all of them would be competing. The next day, if no one was competing, we would head to a track and still practice and make sure we were ready and prepared. But then at the end of the day, you know, work hard, play hard, always, we made sure that they had a great experience down there," says Georgia Wells, a SBPD Detective and PAL team coach.

This marked the first year that the kids got to compete at nationals and they're already hoping to return next year and bring home gold!