Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is proud to officially announce the delegation of athletes, Unified partners, and coaches selected to represent Team Michigan at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, taking place June 20–26, 2026, in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota.
This elite group of 54 competitors earned their spots on Team Michigan by finishing first in their respective sports at a state-level competition and participating in a multi-day training camp hosted by Special Olympics Michigan. From hundreds of contenders across the state, these individuals stood out for their talent, sportsmanship, and commitment—making this delegation one of the most accomplished groups to ever represent Michigan on the national stage.
Team Michigan athletes will compete in athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, flag football, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, and Unified volleyball.
“These athletes have gone above and beyond,” said Kellie Murphy, Head of Delegation and SOMI Staff Member. “To qualify for Team Michigan, they had to win at the highest level of state competition and prove their dedication through training and teamwork. They are a true reflection of the determination and heart at the core of our movement.”
In addition to sports competition, Michigan will send two students to participate in the Youth Leadership Experience (YLE), designed to foster inclusive community programming, event management, and instill confidence for the future generation.
The 2026 USA Games will bring together more than 3,000 athletes, 1.500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states and the Caribbean for a week of world-class competition, community, and inclusion.
Athletes will officially begin their training cycle this fall, with regional workshops leading to the national camp in spring 2026. They will also participate in fundraising efforts supporting travel, lodging, and state-of-the-art training resources.
To learn more about Team Michigan or support their journey to the USA Games, visit www.somi.org/USA.
MEDIA COLLATERAL: Official team headshots are available here. Training camp photos and b-roll can be downloaded for use here.
|
Sport/Role |
Last Name |
First Name |
Hometown |
|
Athletics |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Thum |
Samantha |
Alma, MI |
|
Athlete |
Nelson |
Qori |
Wyoming, MI |
|
Athlete |
Seelbach |
Neil |
Farmington, MI |
|
Athlete |
Maynard |
Dillion |
Lawton, MI |
|
Athlete |
Bergum |
Robert |
Taylor, MI |
|
Athlete |
Harmon |
Anastasia |
Westland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Harding |
Kassidy |
Canton, MI |
|
Athlete |
Hincka |
Molly |
Brighton, MI |
|
Coach |
Taylor |
Kelly |
|
|
Coach |
Hollaway |
Jim |
|
|
Bocce |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Bullogh |
Anika |
East Lansing, MI |
|
Athlete |
Stull |
Iris |
East Lansing, MI |
|
Athlete |
Salazar |
Landon |
East Lansing, MI |
|
Athlete |
Shadaker |
Jackson |
Williamston, MI |
|
Coach |
Hankard |
John |
|
|
Swimming |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Delhanty |
Hunter |
Fife Lake, MI |
|
Athlete |
Avery |
Aspen |
Holland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Bunsis |
Josh |
Ann Arbor, MI |
|
Athlete |
Yee |
Jonah |
Jackson, MI |
|
Coach |
Marlink |
Brian |
|
|
Powerlifting |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Weller |
Sierra |
Jackson, MI |
|
Athlete |
Schlink |
Nicholas |
Vassar, MI |
|
Athlete |
Rosinski |
Tessa |
Allen Park, MI |
|
Athlete |
Kay |
Terry |
Howell, MI |
|
Coach |
Bowers |
Gail |
|
|
Gymnastics |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Viele |
Elizabeth |
Dimondale, MI |
|
Athlete |
Nederveld |
Rilynn |
Caledonia, MI |
|
Athlete |
Barnes |
Anna |
Sanford, MI |
|
Athlete |
Falgout |
Sara |
South Lyon, MI |
|
Coach |
Walker |
Alyssa |
|
|
Soccer |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Payne |
Ryan |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Reilly |
Kristina |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Carlstrom |
James |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Heximer |
Lane |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Holman |
Darren |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Obrien |
Sarah |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Stott |
Robert (RJ) |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Stevenson |
Taylor |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
McLeod |
Scott |
Howell, MI |
|
Athlete |
Clay |
Adam |
Howell, MI |
|
Coach |
Sapienza |
PJ |
|
|
Coach |
Stevenson |
Guy |
|
|
Coach |
Border |
Amy |
|
|
Flag Football |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Schwager |
Jacob |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Brisboy |
James |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Richardson |
Jack |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Young |
Andy |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Baker |
Jameson |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Pitt |
Silas |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Shouse |
Josh |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Kaczynski |
Joseph |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Sheets |
Brad |
Midland, MI |
|
Athlete |
Bowerson |
Tanner |
Midland, MI |
|
Coach |
Young |
Gregg |
|
|
Coach |
Schwager |
Lisa |
|
|
Coach |
Tatum |
Tracey |
|
|
Unified Volleyball |
|
|
|
|
Athlete |
Gallinio |
Anthony |
Flint, MI |
|
Athlete |
Miller |
Stephen |
Flint, MI |
|
Athlete |
Robinson |
Michael |
Flint, MI |
|
Athlete |
Callahan |
Drew |
Flint, MI |
|
Athlete |
Bookmiller |
Clinton |
Flint, MI |
|
Unified Partner |
Novack |
Jacob |
Flint, MI |
|
Unified Partner |
Skinner |
Cole |
Flint, MI |
|
Unified Partner |
Jewell |
James |
Flint, MI |
|
Unified Partner |
Thomas |
Elizabeth |
Flint, MI |
|
Unified Partner |
Moir |
Emily |
Flint, MI |
|
Coach |
Gaffney |
Sheila |
|
|
Coach |
Raysin |
Spencer |
|
|
Coach |
Wareham |
Alex |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Youth Leadership Experience |
|||
|
Youth Leader |
Thadacky |
Addie |
|
|
Youth Leader |
West |
Peyton |
|
|
Staff |
Burr |
Cathy |
|
|
STAFF |
|||
|
Head of Delegation |
Murphy |
Kellie |
|
|
Assistant Head of Delegation |
Taegel |
Kevin |
|
|
Staff |
Newkirk |
Aundria |
|
|
Staff |
Cotter |
Jamie |
|
|
Staff |
Kelley |
Daniel |
|
|
Staff |
Sprenger |
Lourin |
|
|
Staff |
Rachke |
Amanda |
|
|
Staff |
Miller |
Jacob |
|
|
Medical |
Tam |
Anthony |
|
|
Medical |
Thomas-Maliszewski |
Susan |