Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Crystalynn Fougner of Amery as one of 62 athletes to represent Team Wisconsin at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in Princeton, New Jersey on June 14-21, 2014. Wisconsin athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, bowling, flag football, gymnastics, powerlifting and volleyball.
Fougner, who has been involved with SOWI for 12 years, participates in athletics, basketball, bowling and snowshoeing. Fougner dedicates her competitions to her mother, Carol Joy Fougner who passed away on 2012. When she’s not training for Special Olympics, Fougner works at Dick’s Market. She also volunteers as a Sunday School Assistant at her local church.
“I am honored to [participate] at the USA Games,” said Fougner. “I will do my best to represent Amery, Polk County and the state of Wisconsin.”
This will be Fougner’s third trip to the USA Games. She attended the 2006 Games in Ames, Iowa and the 2010 Games in Lincoln, Nebraska. She will compete in athletics and will be one of 86 delegates representing Team Wisconsin at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey.
SOWI will host an official training camp for Team Wisconsin athletes on May 17-18, 2014 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The 2014 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. A total of 3,500 athletes, 1,000 coaches and delegates, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 spectators will attend.
Sports competition will be held at venues throughout Mercer County, New Jersey, including Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Mercer County Park and several area private schools. There will be ample opportunities for supporters across the state to show their spirit and join the team through volunteerism, donations and attendance. For more information or to learn more about how you can support a local athlete, visit www.SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org/USAGames
