Calling All Champions: Team Michigan Departs for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Team Michigan is ready for takeoff after months of preparation and planning for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Friday, June 19, nearly 80 athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and delegation staff will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they will compete against the nation's best athletes.

The 2026 USA Games, held June 20-26 at the University of Minnesota, will bring together thousands of athletes from all 50 states for a week of competition, celebration, and life-changing experiences. Representing all 50 states, nearly 3,000 athletes supported by 1,500 coaches will compete across 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports.

"These athletes have trained, sacrificed, and prepared for this moment,” said Tim Hileman, President & CEO of Special Olympics Michigan. “The USA Games are an opportunity to showcase not only athletic excellence, but the power of inclusion and the incredible impact Special Olympics has in communities across Michigan."

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes will compete in aquatics (swimming), athletics (track & field), bocce, flag football, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, and Unified volleyball while at USA Games. These champions will showcase not only their athletic abilities, but also the determination, courage, and spirit of inclusion that define the Special Olympics movement.

To celebrate the journey, Special Olympics Michigan is inviting supporters, volunteers, families, and community members to join a special send-off at the Unified Sports & Inclusion Center in Grand Rapids.

Team Michigan Send-Off

Friday, June 19, community members are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue and help create an unforgettable "Clap Out" as Team Michigan departs for the airport, where they will be escorted by members of the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Team Michigan will depart in two waves. The first wave, consisting primarily of athletes, will be escorted to an airline hangar where they will fly privately to USA Games, courtesy of Textron Aviation.

The second wave, consisting of athletes, coaches, and program staff, will depart for the airport for a commercial flight out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Wave One

Delegation Arrival: 7:15 a.m.
Clap Out: 7:45 a.m.

Wave Two

Delegation Arrival: 9:15 a.m.
Clap Out: 9:45 a.m.

Location:
Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center
160 68th Street SW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49548

Follow Team Michigan at USA Games

Follow Team Michigan's journey and cheer on our athletes as they represent Michigan and demonstrate the power of inclusion on a national stage. Special Olympics Michigan will provide daily updates from Minneapolis, including:

Medal counts
Competition highlights
Athlete stories
Photos and videos
Upcoming schedules and results

Individuals and media partners interested in receiving daily Team Michigan updates can request to be added to the distribution list by emailing somi@somi.org.

Competition Schedule

Regular updates and competition times can be found on the USA Games webpage or by downloading the Champions app.

ESPN Coverage of USA Games

ESPN will provide extensive coverage of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games from June 20-26, bringing the competition to audiences nationwide through ESPN+, Disney+, ABC, and the ESPN App. Coverage begins with the Opening Ceremony on June 20 and continues throughout the week, featuring live competition in athletics, swimming, powerlifting, flag football, and more, while showcasing the inspiring stories of athletes from across the country.

Coverage Schedule (EST)
June 20, 7:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony (ESPN+/Disney+)
June 21, Noon USA Games Preview Show (ABC)
June 23-26 Live coverage of Athletics, Swimming, and Powerlifting

(ESPN+)

June 25, 2 p.m. Unified Flag Football Gold Medal Game (NFL Network, ESPN+, Disney+)

July 25, Noon USA Games Review Show (ABC)

Team Michigan Delegation

MEDIA COLLATERAL: Official team headshots are available here. Training camp photos and b-roll can be downloaded for use here.

SPORT	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	Delahanty	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	Hinga	Max	Portage, 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	McDonale	Randy

Unified Volleyball
Athlete	Gallinio	Anthony	Flint, MI
Athlete	Miller	Stephen	Flint, MI
Athlete	Robinson	Michael	Flint, MI
Athlete	Callahan	Drew	Flint, MI
Athlete	Greschaw	Drew	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	Finateri	Joe
Coach	Wareham	Alex

Youth Leadership Experience
Youth Leader	Heaton	Megan
Youth Leader	West	Peyton
Staff	Burr	Cathy

STAFF
Head of Delegation	Murphy	Kellie
Assistant Head of Delegation	Lofton	Gabi
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