2018 USA Games
The Special Olympics USA Games is presented every four years, featuring competition in fourteen sports. For the 2018 USA Games, Vermont is proud to be represented by a 19-member delegation including athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and a Head of Delegation volunteer.
Your gift will support these athletes on their journey to Seattle to compete in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games!
"The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will showcase the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and celebrate the transformative power of Special Olympics".
- Beth Knox, President and CEO, 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
Unified Basketball
Basketball events at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at the University of Washington and Seattle University. Team Vermont includes one Unified Basketball team from Champlain Valley Union High School and two coaches.
Special Olympics Unified Sports bring people with and without intellectual disabilities together to compete on the same team. Team members with intellectual disabilities are referred to as athletes while team members without intellectual disabilities are referred to as Unified partners or partners. For USA Games, the Unified basketball team for Team Vermont includes five athletes and five partners.
In order to provide a competitive experience for players of all abilities, there are three models of play in Special Olympics Unified basketball: Recreational, Player Development, and Competitive. All teams competing at the 2018 USA Games will follow the Competitive model.
CVU Unified Basketball Team
Coaching staff: Peter Booth and Anthony Spagnolo
Team members: Lindsey Albertelli, Haley Clos, Kevin Conger, Wayne Elias, Robert Ellis-Clark, Paul Keen, Shannon Loiseau, Graham Walker, Erin Watson, Gary Whalon.
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics events at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at the University of Washington. Team Vermont includes one male and one female track athlete, along with one athletics coach. Athletics includes running, jumping, and throwing events.
Michelle Olden
Age: 40 Hometown: Brownington Sports: Athletics, bowling, soccer, basketball, cross country skiing, snowshoeing
Aaron Sanville
Age: 36 Hometown: Greensboro Bend Sports: Athletics, basketball, soccer, snowshoeing
Selina Hunter
Coach
Hometown: Newport Center
Athletics experience: Selina is a parent of a Special Olympics Vermont athlete in the Orleans/Essex program and is an avid runner. She recently completed the Boston Marathon. Since 2011, Selina has coached Special Olympics athletics, soccer, basketball, and snowshoeing.
Swimming
Swimming events at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at the King County Aquatic Center. Team Vermont includes one male and one female swimmer, along with one swimming coach.
Zada Anderson
Age: 18 Hometown: Jericho Sports: Swimming, bowling. In addition to Special Olympics sports, Zada is a member of the women's hockey and volleyball teams at Mt. Mansfield Union High School.
Christopher Mitchell
Age: 31 Hometown: Sudbury Sports: Swimming, snowboarding, basketball, soccer, bowling, bocce Why Special Olympics?: "I’ve gotten to do a lot of sports that I wouldn’t have been motivated to do otherwise. I probably wouldn’t have gotten into skiing or snowboarding because the cost is so high. I also do basketball, soccer, bowling, and bocce. I’d definitely be a lot less social if it weren't for Special Olympics. It has helped me get out of the house and become more social."
Chad Phalon
Coach Hometown: Burlington Swimming experience: Chad is a recent graduate of Saint Michael's College where he was a member of the varsity swim team for four years. He was a Special Olympics Vermont intern, and currently coaches the age group swim team at the Sports and Fitness Edge.