USA Games
About the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games
Orlando was officially announced as the host city for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in May 2018. Taking place from June 5-11, 2022, more than 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 125,000 fans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will travel to unite and participate in one of the world’s most cherished sporting events. The Games will be comprised of as many as 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports and will be hosted at various world-class venues across the Orlando area.
We are excited to announce our Team PA allocations for the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, FL – June 5-11. See documents below for allocations and athlete selection requirements. Team PA will consist of 122 athletes and 34 coaches from 14 sports.
Team PA Information:
- Team PA Allocations and Selection Requirements (PDF)
- 2022 USA Games Athletics and Swimming Categories (PDF)
- Athlete Selection Process (PDF)
Selection Requirements include ALL of the following:
- Completion and submission of the Athlete Pre-Selection Questionnaire – NEW FOR 2022 GAMES
- Athlete questionnaire PDF is attached for your reference, ALL athlete applications MUST be submitted electronically by April 1, 2021.
- Please work with your coaches/athletes to assist with this as necessary, if you need additional assistance please let a Competition staff or your Field Director know
- Active participation in at least one of the Commit to Fit activities :
- Have successfully participated in an overnight State level event
- Meet the Minimum Nomination Criteria (PDF)
2018 Special Olympics USA Games
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games were held in Seattle, Washington from July 1-6, 2018. Nearly 3,500 athletes competed in an array of Olympic-type team and individual sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, and tens of thousands volunteers and spectators. The Games celebrated the Special Olympics movement, promoted the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and showcased athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games also highlighted Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building.
2018 USA Games Recap:
Congratulations to the athletes that represented Team PA in the Special Olympics USA Games held in Seattle, Washington from July 1-6, 2018. Pennsylvania sent 50 athletes and Unified partners along with 16 coaches and staff to compete in 10 out of the 14 sports offered during the Games.
View Images from the Team PA Sendoff
Visit our Flickr page to view USA Games Photos!
Dinniman Presents Flag to Special Olympics Athletes
State Senator Andrew Dinniman of the 19th District presented Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes, who represented Team PA during the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, with the Pennsylvania state flag. The flag was proudly be carried by members of Team PA during Opening Ceremonies for the USA Games on July 1st.
Monroe Co. Athlete Carried Flame of Hope at USA Games

Ernie Roundtree (at right) Honored with Spot on 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg Team
Before the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games kicked off in Seattle on Sunday, July 1, an elite group of individuals served as the “Guardians of the Flame” and escorted the Special Olympics Flame of Hope on a journey across Washington State. Ernie Roundtree of Monroe County was among those who made up the prestigious “Final Leg” team for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
TEAM PA ATHLETES & COACHES:
ATHLETICS
- Eleazar DelaCruz, Monroe County, Athletics -
Bronze, 3 Ribbons
- Nina Kaneriya, Columbia/Montour Counties, Athletics -
Gold, 2 Ribbons
- Jonathan Kuchinskas, Monroe County, Athletics -
2 Gold, Silver
- Christina Mereen, Bedford County, Athletics -
Bronze, 2 Ribbons
- Kimberly Schickley, Columbia/Montour Counties, Athletics -
Silver, Bronze, 2 Ribbons
- Jeremy Sensening, Warren County, Athletics -
Silver, Bronze, 2 Ribbons
- Ashley Valentin, Monroe County, Athletics -
Gold, 3Ribbons
- Tom Delaney, Coach - Bucks County, Athletics
- Taryn Mockus, Coach - Area M, Athletics
BASKETBALL - Team Gold!
- Tasha Bretz, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Jamey Carst, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Eugene Ferreira, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Timothy McConnell, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Adaira McNaughton, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Christopher Nichols, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Ethan North, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Dena Russ, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Gary Williams, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Matthew Mausner, Area M, Basketball
Gold
- Clyde North, Coach - Area M, Basketball
- Shannon Pechart, Coach - Area M, Basketball
- Eddie Wright, Coach - Area M, Basketball
BOCCE
- Jill Byers, Lawrence County, Bocce -
Silver, Ribbon
- Doug Jacobs, Area P, Bocce -
Silver
- Nathan Jacobs, Area P, Bocce -
Silver, Ribbon
- Andrea Snider, Lawrence County, Bocce -
Gold, Silver
- Cynthia Walther, Coach - Bucks County, Bocce
BOWLING - Team Ribbon!
- Patrick Connor, Chester County, Bowling -
Silver, Bronze
- Michael Pacitti, Chester County, Bowling -
Silver, Ribbon
- JoAnn "Joey" Ranck, Area M, Bowling -
Bronze, Ribbon
- Isadora Silk, Allegheny County, Bowling -
Bronze, Ribbon
- Jeff Truxell, Coach - Allegheny County, Bowling
GOLF
- Jennifer Laudeman, York County, Golf -
Silver
- Jonathan Martin, York County, Golf -
Silver
- Nat Martin, Coach - York County, Golf
GYMNASTICS
- Hanna Gremo, Montgomery County, Gymnastics -
3 Silver, Bronze, Ribbon
- Katharine Wenocur, Coach - Philadelphia, Gymnastics
POWERLIFTING
- Cameron Dittmar, Bucks County, Powerlifting -
4 Silver
- Joni Talavera, Bethlehem City, Powerlifting -
Silver, 3 Bronze
- Melissa Bock, Coach - Carbon County, Powerlifting
7v7 UNIFIED SOCCER - Team Silver!
- Chase Darlington, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Monica Harmon, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Celine Heffron Pero, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Jason Heigel-Yates, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Marko Hubbell, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Erik Mazurkiewicz, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Herbie Rider, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Lisa Robinson, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Rita Schofield, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Bobby Seeger, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Kristine Stout, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Laura Waite, Chester County, Soccer
Silver
- Shelly Fouracre, Coach - Chester County, Soccer
- Andy Fouracre, Coach - Chester County, Soccer
- Pam Graham, Coach - Lancaster County, Soccer
SWIMMING
- Tyler Mickle, Lehigh County, Swimming -
Silver, 3 Ribbons
- Elizabeth Porter, Bradford/Sullivan, Swimming -
Silver, Bronze, 2 Ribbons
- Adam Smith, Area M, Swimming -
Silver, Bronze, Ribbon
- Liz Smith, Delaware County, Swimming -
Silver, Bronze, 2 Ribbons
- Abby Menko, Northumberland/Snyder, Swimming -
4 Silver
- Lydia Wert, Beaver County, Swimming -
2 Gold, 2 Silver
- Andrew Yeske, Bucks County, Swimming -
Gold, 2 Silver
- Stacy Banyas, Coach - Columbia/Montour Counties, Swimming
- Fred Knauss, Coach - Bethlehem City, Swimming
TENNIS
- David Miller, Adams County, Tennis -
Bronze
- Sally Kinsey, Coach - Chester County, Tennis