Team Vermont Returns Home after an Unforgettable Week at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

After an incredible week in Minnesota, Team Vermont has returned home from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games with unforgettable memories and hearts full of pride.

For seven days, our athletes and Unified partners represented the Green Mountain State with courage, resilience, and determination as they competed alongside more than 3,000 athletes from across the country. Every race and every game reflected the hard work, training, commitment, and passion that brought them to the national stage. Team Vermont proudly returned home with 16 medals across Athletics, Swimming, and Unified Basketball but the impact of this week reached far beyond the podium.

The Games were filled with moments we'll never forget: watching Erin Watson charge from behind to capture gold in the 100-yard Breaststroke; celebrating Kevin Conger's personal-best jump to earn gold in the Running Long Jump; cheering Lindsay Arthurs through every step of her incredible silver medal 5K; witnessing Finn Schneider earn gold after pouring his heart and soul into training; and celebrating as the Unified Basketball team from Burr and Burton Academy battled their way to a gold medal victory over Delaware.

Yet some of the most meaningful moments came from seeing these individuals truly shine as a team. They were there to cheer each other on and celebrated one another's successes, and they encouraged and supported each other through every challenge, proving that sports are about so much more than winning. They're about belonging, confidence, friendship, and discovering what's possible when people come together.

Beyond competition, the USA Games offered experiences our athletes will carry with them for a lifetime. They met fellow athletes from across the nation, took part in unforgettable Opening and Closing Ceremonies, connected with inspiring figures in sport, explored the host city of Minneapolis, participated in Healthy Athletes, and experienced the excitement of competing on one of the biggest stages in Special Olympics. Our Youth Leadership Experience participants also proudly represented Vermont as volunteers and leaders, demonstrating that leadership and inclusion extend far beyond the field of play.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible coaches: Joe McNamara and Sara Cavanaugh (Athletics), Jennifer Payne (Swimming), and Don Benasich, Julie Crosier, and Taylor Barton (Unified Basketball). Thank you for the countless hours you devoted to preparing, encouraging, and believing in our athletes. Your commitment helped make this experience one they will never forget.

This journey was also a testament to the power of our Vermont community. Every donation, fundraiser, sponsorship, volunteer, and message of encouragement helped make Team Vermont's trip to the USA Games possible. From the moment they departed until they returned home, our athletes knew they had an entire state behind them, cheering them on every step of the way.

As we reflect on this extraordinary week, we won't remember only the medals or the final results. We'll remember the joy of crossing the finish line, the hugs between teammates, the cheers from the stands, the friendships that were formed, and the overwhelming pride of watching Team Vermont represent our state with heart, determination, and sportsmanship.

To every athlete, Unified partner, coach, volunteer, family member, and supporter; thank you. Team Vermont inspired all of us this week, reminding us that the true spirit of Special Olympics is found not only in competition, but in courage, inclusion, and the joy of achieving something together. We couldn't be prouder to celebrate this incredible team.

TEAM RESULTS

Interscholastic Unified Basketball Team

Gold Medal

Connor Doyle – Athlete

Emanuel Zuniga – Athlete

Gavin Roberts – Unified Partner

Grayson Rourke – Unified Partner

James Johnston – Unified Partner

Lakeisha Clayton – Athlete

Marley Clark – Unified Partner

Mason Evans – Athlete

Riley Baron – Athlete

Shelly Clark – Unified Partner

Julie Crosier – Coach

Don Benasich – Coach

Taylor Barton – Coach

Athletics (Track & Field)

Enrique Goldstein-Perdue - Athlete

4^th place – 400m

4^th place – 1500m

5^th place – 800m

Hazel Rakowski – Athlete

Silver Medal – 200m

Bronze Medal – 50m

Bronze Medal – 100m

Kevin Conger – Athlete

Gold Medal – Running Long Jump

Silver Medal – 100m

Silver Medal – 200m

Lindsay Arthurs – Athlete

Silver Medal – Running Long Jump

Silver Medal – 5000m

4^th place – 1500m

Joe McNamara – Head Coach

Sara Cavanaugh – Assistant Coach

Swimming

Colleen Duffy – Athlete

Gold Medal – 50yd Butterfly

Silver Medal – 100yd Freestyle

7^th place – 100yd Medley

Daniel Goodrow – Athlete

Silver Medal – 25yd Freestyle

4^th place – 50yd Breaststroke

4^th place – 50yd Freestyle

Erin Watson – Athlete

Gold Medal – 100yd Breaststroke

Silver Medal – 100yd Medley

4^th place – 100yd Butterfly

Finn Schneider – Athlete

Gold Medal – 500yd Freestyle

Silver Medal – 200yd Medley

6^th place – 100yd Freestyle

Jennifer Payne – Head Coach

'BEST OF USA GAMES' PHOTO GALLERY

Check out the highlights from this incredible week including action shots, medal moments, and behind the scenes of the team's journey! CLICK HERE