(KNSI) – Six members of Team Minnesota representing the state at this year’s Special Olympic Games are based here in the Granite City and the surrounding area. The full contingent is listed below.
(1) Shelby Eisenschenk – Athlete, Swimming
(2) Lisa Edelbrock – Coach, Swimming
(3) Becky Bartz – Coach, Track & Field
(4) Katie Young – Athlete, Half-Court Basketball (Avon, MN)
(5) Chelsey Roesner – Athlete, Unified Bowling (Sauk Rapids, MN)
(6) Maria Roesner – Unified Partner, Unified Bowling (Sauk Rapids, MN)
Director of Marketing Katie Howlett explains what being a unified partner means. “So, unified is when someone with, and without, a disability play together on the same team.”
The last Games were held in 2018 in Seattle. This year the national competition is in Orlando, Florida. Howlett says because of the pandemic Special Olympics Minnesota was forced to use 2019 results to pick its team. The wait will be worth it. In addition to the competition itself, there will be plenty of great surprises in the Sunshine State from June 5-12.
“They’re closing down Disney World for the night for our athletes and their families. So, they’re going to have a lot of fun getting the park all to themselves,” says Howlett.
The Special Olympics is dedicated to helping individuals with various cognitive disabilities. When facing a lengthy trip, how the athlete will handle the travel is something that has to be taken into account when selecting a team.
“People qualify by participating in our State Games here in Minnesota. And then we also have a round of interviews and applications just to make sure people would do well traveling across the country, and be a good fit for the team.”
Luckily, that won’t be necessary for 2026. The next Special Olympic Games will be in our backyard. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus will host thousands of athletes and their families. Howlett says the state organization put a lot into the bid to win the games. United Health Group is the sponsoring company.
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