Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Michael Reynolds of Waupaca 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.
Reynolds, who has been involved with SOWI for 27 years, participates in athletics, basketball, bowling and golf. He received the Waupaca Area Special Olympics Athlete of the Year Award multiple times throughout his time with SOWI. When he’s not training for Special Olympics, Reynolds works at Piggly Wiggly in Waupaca.
“Special Olympics gave me a chance to make new friends,” said Reynolds. “It helped me realized how lucky I am and how special I am to everyone.”
This will be Reynolds second trip to the USA Games; he attended the 1995 USA Games in Connecticut for athletics. Reynolds will compete in bowling 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.
