Forty-six Special Olympics Virginia athletes, alongside 18 coaches, two youth leaders and two Special Olympics staff members, will begin their journey to Seattle for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. From July 1-6, Team Virginia will join thousands of Special Olympics athletes and coaches from across the nation, along with tens of thousands of volunteers, family members and fans, for a week of special events and competitions in 14 team and individual sports.
Team Virginia includes 16 athletes and two coaches from the New River Valley—A Unified Softball team and Track athlete, Josh Norris of Blacksburg.
Team Virginia Bios for New River Valley team members
•Matt Adamo (Blacksburg) started volunteering with Special Olympics in January 2008, and has competed in softball, volleyball and basketball. He loves playing Unified Sports. “When I first joined Special Olympics, I wanted to make a difference in the athletes’ lives. But I soon came to realize how much of a difference my friends at Special Olympics made in my life. I can’t imagine not volunteering with Special Olympics. It’s a huge part of my life and my family’s life.”
•Brianna Adamo (Blacksburg) is a 20-year-old engineering student at Virginia Tech. She has been involved with Special Olympics Virginia for two years. She will compete in softball at USA Games as a Unified Partner. She loves Special Olympics because “I have a whole new outlook on life because of it! I never really thought about it growing up, but learning about the community and getting to spend time with all of the wonderful athletes really brightens my day!”
•Clay Caldwell (Blacksburg) has been playing basketball, softball and bowling for Special Olympics for the past 22 years. He will represent Virginia on the softball field at the 2018 USA Games. Clay loves Special Olympics because “it has honed my competitive nature, allowed me to interact with athletes from all over the world and make friends with folks from diverse backgrounds.” Clay has served as a Global Messenger and has spoken to many groups about Special Olympics.
•Nathaniel Calhoun (Blacksburg) first became involved in Special Olympics 15 years ago. Since then, he has competed in basketball, softball, volleyball and track & field. This July, he will represent Virginia on the softball field at USA Games. When asked about Special Olympics, Nathaniel says, “Special Olympics has taught me to be a better person.”
•Stacy Jones (Blacksburg) first volunteered with Special Olympics in 2009. She has been involved in volley, basketball, softball, track & field and bowling. She will be competing at USA Games as a Unified Partner with the softball team. When asked what Special Olympics has taught her, Stacy said, “I have learned a lot about myself and others, growing individually and building lifelong friendships. I have learned more about teamwork, sportsmanship, camaraderie, coaching and to enjoy the small things in life.”
•Franklin Lawson (Blacksburg) has participated in basketball, volleyball, bowling, track & field and skiing. Since joining Special Olympics, Franklin says, “I am a much more mature person.” He says one of the highlights of his Special Olympics career was when “I made the winning shot in my local basketball tournament to help my team win the gold medal.” Franklin will help the Special Olympics Virginia softball team go for gold this summer at USA Games.
•Daymon Linkous (Blacksburg) has been involved with Special Olympics for two years. He has participated in softball, volleyball and basketball, but says softball is his favorite. This summer, Daymon will compete as a Unified Partner on the Special Olympics Virginia softball team at USA Games. Daymon says Special Olympics has taught him “how to give anyone a chance.”
•Bryan Mosby (Riner) first became involved with Special Olympics about 25 years ago. In that time, he has served as a Global Messenger and participated in volleyball, track & field, basketball and softball. This summer, Bryan will represent Special Olympics Virginia on the softball field. Bryan says he loves Special Olympics because “it has made me a better person.”
•Benjamin Norris (Blacksburg) has been involved in Special Olympics for about 15 years. Along with serving as a Global Messenger, Ben has almost done it all, participating in basketball, alpine skiing, track & field, softball, bowling and swimming. At the 2013 Special Olympics Winter Games in South Korea, Ben won a gold medal in the Super G skiing event. At USA Games, he will be part of Special Olympics Virginia’s softball team. Ben says “Special Olympics has taught me how to be a strong competitor and good teammate and friend.”
•Josh Norris (Blacksburg) has been involved in Special Olympics for about 15 years (Ben and Josh Norris are brothers). In that time, he has served as a Global Messenger and competed in basketball, track & field, bowling, skiing and swimming! An avid runner, Josh will compete in track & field at this summer’s USA Games. In the last few years, Josh has completed 8 marathons! Josh loves Special Olympics because “Special Olympics has encouraged and challenged me to continue my running and to be the best athlete I can be.”
•Brittany Payne (Cana) first became involved with Special Olympics 9 years ago. Since then, she has competed as a Unified Partner in softball and track & field. She also has coached volleyball and basketball. At the 2018 USA Games, Brittany will compete as a Unified Partner on the softball team. Brittany says being a part of Special Olympics “inspired me to pursue a degree in education because I want to teach Special Education.”
•Richard Robinson (Blacksburg) has been involved in Special Olympics for almost 40 years. He has participated in bowling, basketball and softball. At the 2018 USA Games, Richard will go for gold on Special Olympics Virginia’s softball team. Richard says his favorite Special Olympics moment so far is “being selected for the 2018 USA Games.”
•Tyler Schuster (Blacksburg) has been participating in Special Olympics for 12 years. He’s been involved in basketball, softball and volleyball. At this year’s USA Games, Tyler will compete on Special Olympics Virginia’s softball team. He said he is looking forward to “new challenges, great fun and new friends.”
•Michael Shroyer (Blacksburg) has been part of Special Olympics for 3 years. As a Unified Partner, Michael has participated in volleyball, basketball, skiing and softball. This summer, he will go for gold with the softball team at USA Games. Michael loves being a Unified Partner because “Unified Sports really exemplify what I believe team sports should be about: respect and togetherness.”
•Bobby Snell (Christiansburg) has been involved with Special Olympics for 3 years as a Unified Partner in softball and volleyball, and as a coach for Unified basketball. At USA Games, Bobby will compete as a Unified softball partner. Bobby likes being a part of Special Olympics because “I have been able to meet some people with tremendous character.”
•Luke Williamson (Hiwassee) began participating in Special Olympics 23 years ago. He has participated in basketball, volleyball and softball. He will compete on the Special Olympics Virginia softball team at this summer’s USA Games. Luke’s favorite Special Olympics moment so far was “winning gold at the 2016 Softball NIT.”
•Co-head coaches Matt Camire (Christiansburg) and Callie Dupree (Christiansburg) will also be joining Team Virginia softball team in the quest for gold at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
“Special Olympics Virginia is proud of all of our athletes at all levels of ability who will be competing at the USA Games in Seattle,” said Special Olympics Virginia President Rick Jeffrey. “I have been especially impressed by the professionalism of our Team Virginia coaching staff and the way in which they have communicated and worked as a team with our great coaches at the local level to prepare all of our athletes to be successful in Seattle. I continue to be proud of our Unified teams as we have had representation in Unified Sports at USA and World Games since 1999. Go Team Virginia!”
Team Virginia’s journey at the USA Games begins with the Opening Ceremony, Sunday, July 1, where they will march in the Parade of Athletes in front of thousands of spectators at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium. ABC will broadcast the Opening Ceremony live starting at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET.
Additionally, ESPN, the official media partner of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, will broadcast evening studio programs from Seattle throughout the weeklong event, airing primarily on ESPN2; all programs also will be available on the ESPN app.
Follow Team Virginia’s progress throughout the USA Games at specialolympicsva.org or on Facebook, facebook.com/specialolympicsvirginia. Their trip is made possible thanks to the combined efforts of many generous community partners including the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run, Polar Plunge participants and donors as well as sponsors including United Airlines, The Wawa Foundation, Rite Aid Foundation, Virginia Credit Union and Avalon Bay via SAVERS.
