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