SEATTLE — At last week’s 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, Special Olympics Wyoming joined other athletes and coaches from across the country with an impassioned message of “inclusion through sports.”
And when they arrived, thousands of fans welcomed them to Seattle with open arms.
The Emerald City provided a welcoming and inclusive host for all the athletes to compete in 14 team and individual sports: athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, flag football, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand up paddleboard, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
TEAM WYOMING RESULTS
ATHLETICS
Tyler George – Douglas Masters
SILVER – 100 M Dash
BRONZE – Long Jump
7TH – 200 M Dash
BOWLING
Tahia Grosch – Sheridan
- GOLD – Doubles
- 4TH – Singles
Byrlie Thomas – Evanston
- GOLD – Singles
- GOLD – Doubles
POWERLIFTING
Bill Norman – Casper
- BRONZE – Dead Lift
- 4TH – Combination
- 4TH – Squat
- 5TH – Bench Press
Kelby Woolf – Laramie
- BRONZE – Combination
- BRONZE – Squat
- BRONZE – Bench Press
- BRONZE – Dead Lift
Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg
Ret. Officer Julie Wickett – Glenrock
Officer Matt Koritnik – Powell
Chief Ron Casalenda – Douglas
SWIMMING
Kyle Biggs – Crook County
- SILVER – 25 M Backstroke
- SILVER – 50 M Backstroke
- 4TH – 100 M Freestyle
Kayla Strohecker – Riverton
- GOLD – 25 M Backstroke
- BRONZE – 50 M Backstroke
- BRONZE – 50 M Freestyle
UNIFIED SPORTS® GOLF – BRONZE
Kris Lovett – Casper
Connor Diller – Casper
UNIFIED SPORTS® BASKETBALL – 5th Place
- Justin England – Star Valley
- Brendan Burke – Jackson
- William Dennis – Jackson
- Kaden Fry – Evanston
- Breanne Gardner – Star Valley
- Chandler Jones – Sublette County
- Meille Merritt – Star Valley
- Ripley Shultz – Jackson
- Kamber Luster – Sublette County
- Tanner Spatig – Evanston
Youth Activation Summit
Craig Wasia – Cody
Jonathan Sanchez – Cody
It’s Moments Like This…
“Last week the eyes of the nation were on Seattle, Washington and the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, and Wyoming was represented by an amazing group of athletes, partners, families, coaches, and staff, said Special Olympics Wyoming President/CEO Priscilla Dowse.
“This group was unprecedented in their accomplishments and successes; it’s moments like this that I am so humbled and honored to be a part of this organization. The 2018 games kicked off the ‘inclusion revolution’ and the work by Special Olympics to assure that every person with intellectual disabilities is recognized, respected, and included.”
Featured Live on ESPN
Other Special Olympics Wyoming highlights from the 2018 USA Games include:
Kayla Strohecker from Riverton was featured on the live ESPN coverage from the first day of competition, where she had a gold medal race.
Held every four years, the next Special Olympics USA Games will take place in Orlando, Fla. from June 5-10, 2022.
The week in Seattle provided athletes with memories they will cherish for a lifetime. Watch the 2018 USA Games recap video here:
About Special Olympics Wyoming
Special Olympics Wyoming is a not-for-profit organization providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs to children and adults with intellectual disabilities; offering them continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Special Olympics Wyoming changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.
About the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games were held in Seattle, Washington July 1-6, 2018.
More than 4,000 participants from across the nation, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, competed in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports.
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games celebrated the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary; promoted the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport; and showcased the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
The 2018 USA Games also highlighted Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building.
