Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Tyler Wigington of Middleton 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.
Wigington has competed in Special Olympics athletics, basketball, bowling, flag football, golf, and tennis for the past 10 years. Wigington didn’t learn to walk until he turned 18 months old, but now he runs half-marathons. He completed the Madion Mini Marathon in 1:44:40 this year, his greatest personal sports memory. He attributes his athletic and personal growth in part to Special Olympics.
“I never felt like I can do anything and now I feel like a winner,” he said. “Attending the [USA Games] is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I will train very hard to be a good teammate and represent Wisconsin.”
In addition to participating in SOWI sports, Wigington also is involved in the SOWI Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs), the SOWI Youth Activation Committee, Best Buddies, the Spread the Word to End the Word® Campaign and won the SOWI Male Athlete of the Year award in 2005. Wigington attends Middleton High School, works at the Middleton Pool, and volunteers with Special Olympics Wisconsin and the Keva Sports Center.
Wigington will compete in flag football and will be one of 90 delegates representing Team Wisconsin at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. Support Wigington and his trip to the 2014 USA Games at www.SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org/USAGames.
