Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Peter Annis of Union Grove 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.
Annis has competed in Special Olympics basketball, bocce, bowling, flag football, golf, roller skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, volleyball, alpine skiing and floor hockey for the past seven years, but this will be his first time attending the Special Olympics USA Games.
“Special Olympics and attending the USA Games means I will play hard, work hard, and eat right,” said Annis.
According to Annis, his arthritis causes him to have some back pain, but his coaches have taught him some beneficial stretches to help remedy this ailment. Special Olympics has taught him to keep his head up and never quit on any play, in sports or in life.
“[In Special Olympics] I am always encouraged. That makes me feel like a champion,” he added.
Annis will compete in flag football and will be one of 86 delegates representing Team Wisconsin at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. When he’s not competing, Annis works as a crewmember at McDonalds.
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.
