Special Olympics Texas Names Athletes To Compete At National Meet

AUSTIN, TX — Special Olympics Texas on Thursday announced the 198 members named to Team Texas — including many from the Austin area — at the Brazos County Expo Center during the opening day of the group's statewide Fall Classic.

The delegation named will compete in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games scheduled July 1-6, 2018, in Seattle, Wash. Selected competitors will participate in one of 14 sports. In addition to the athletes, coaches and Unified Partners selected to Team Texas, 19 alternates were also named.

“We have a true identity of our state representing the 58,000 athletes in our state,” said interim president and CEO Suzanne Anderson.

In addition to Texas’ athletes and coaches, Tracie Mathews-Segura of the Houston Police Department will take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg at the 2018 USA Games. Mathews-Segura serves as the East Region Coordinator on Texas’ LETR state executive committee.

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More than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will gather in Seattle in July 2018 to compete before tens of thousands of spectators and volunteers.

"The 2018 USA Games will showcase the limitless talents of people with intellectual disabilities while promoting the barrier-breaking power of sport to promote inclusion and acceptance," SOTX officials said. "Competitions will be held at venues across the Seattle area including the University of Washington, Celebration Park, Kenmore Lanes, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University, Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center and Willows Run Golf Club."

Central Texas Area Members Selected to Team Texas

Name/Hometown/Sport/Status

Riley Blatz/Round Rock/Aquatics/Athlete

Sabine Collins/Austin/Gymnastics/Athlete

William Dickerson/Manor/Bowling/Unified Partner

Thomas Hannafin/Elgin/Bowling/Athlete

Haley McDaniel/Austin/Tennis/Athlete

Collin McGookey/Fredericksburg/Aquatics/Athlete

William Mullican IV/Pflugerville/Golf/Athlete

Pilar Rivera/Austin/Gymnastics/Athlete

Austin Rocha/Cedar Park/Athletics/Athlete

William Rueter/Pflugerville/Golf/Unified Partner

Jordan Svehlak/Round Rock/Powerlifting/Athlete

DezMarie Villasana/Austin/Gymnastics/Athlete

Sydney Weigand/Austin/Tennis/Athlete

Sonya Wilson/ Elgin/Stand-up Paddle/Athlete

Christopher Gonzalez/Round Rock/Aquatics Alternate

COACHES:

Cassandra Dickerson/Elgin/Stand up Paddle

Stephanie Kolaczkowski/Austin/Aquatics

Amy Wiesenhutter/Round Rock/Athletics

About the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games (provided text):

The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle, Washington July 1-6, 2018. More than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary; promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport; and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building.

About Special Olympics Texas (provided text):

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect. SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. To learn more, visitwww.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646. Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.

>>> Image provided by Special Olympics Texas