Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Jessica Harter of Viroqua 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.
Harter, who has been involved with SOWI for 17 years, participates in athletics, basketball, bowling, softball and volleyball. Harter is used to the pressure of high-level competition. She attended the 1999 Special Olympics World Games in North Carolina, where she received a gold medal. She also received two silver and a bronze medal at the 2003 World Games in Ireland. When she’s not training for Special Olympics, Harter works at Culver’s.
“Special Olympics has showed me that hard work and doing your best will make your dreams come true,” said Harter. “I am very proud to have been selected to represent Team Wisconsin.”
This will be Harter’s second trip to the USA Games; she attended the 2006 Games in Ames, Iowa. She will compete in volleyball 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.orgUSAGames
