Oklahoma athletes gear up for 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
The one-year countdown to the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games has begun. July 1-6, more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will gather in Seattle to compete before tens of thousands of spectators and volunteers.
The 2018 USA Games will showcase the talents of people with intellectual disabilities while promoting the barrierbreaking power of sport to promote inclusion and acceptance, according to a news release.
Among the athletes and coaches will be Team Oklahoma, to include the following participants:
Athletics
Coach: Caleb Shoaf, Yukon Athletes: Andrew Bowen, Valiant; Jack Long, Vinita; Sarah Parrack, Tulsa; and Alyssa Wahpeche, Ada
Powerlifting
Coach:
Valley
Athletes: Caleb Cain, Cameron; Zues Devose, Pauls Valley; Elizabeth Hubert, Catoosa; and Madison Madory, Oklahoma City
Swimming
Coach: Woody Bearden, Pauls Meg Corn, Edmond
Athletes: Katy Lew, Tulsa; Lance Loury, Morris; Stephen Lynn, Edmond; and Kearsty McCoy, Duncan
Unified bocce
Coach: Susan St. John, Owass. Athletes: Chelsea Teague, Owasso; and James Holder, Jenks
Unified Partners: Teri Hockett, Tulsa; and Vanessa St. John, Owasso
Unified bowling
Coach: Amy Underhill, Anadarko Athletes: Meghan Antonelli, Sand Springs; and Cody Shelton, Mannford
Unified Partners: David Francis, Oklahoma City; and Debra Nobles, Sand Springs
Unified golf
Coach: Robert Schaeffer, Wagoner
Athletes: Andrew Garner, Tulsa; and Heather Sossamon, Jenks
Unified Partners: Harlan Guthrie, Tulsa; and James Hensley, Claremore
Unified softball
Head coach: Alicia Jory, Jay Assistant coach: Clayton Foreman, Jay
Athletes: Luke Gallman, Jay; Brad Tanner, Jay; Brandon Davis, Jay; Joseph Maddox, Jay; Joey Ross, Jay; and Michael Vaughan, Afton
Unified Partners: Robert Cearley, Grove; Walter Crane, Grove; Gage Foreman, Jay; Eric Jackson, Jay; Tyler O’field, Jay; and Dillion Pruitt, Bella Vista.
Other
Head of Delegation: John Seals, Special Olympics Oklahoma program director
Assistant head of delegation: Brittany Dorman, Special Olympics Oklahoma program assistant
Honored guest: Adrian DeWendt, Special Olympics Oklahoma president and CEO
“Competing at USA Games is an opportunity for our athletes to showcase their skills on a national level. Some of these athletes will come home as national champions,” Seals said.