Local Special Olympic athletes competing at USA Games

(MINNEAPOLIS) – The Special Olympics USA Games has been taking place in Minnesota this week.

It features athletes from all 50 states who are competing in 16 sports. 

There are several local athletes from the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Chapter who are participating. 

Maria Segrist competed in bowling and captured a Bronze medal in the Female Singles Bowling Division on Wednesday. Her brother, Ted, serves as her unified partner. 

Kendra Franklin is a swimmer on Team Indiana and she helped the squad earn two medals so far.

Charlie Wilson is on the Team Indiana Unified soccer squad who won a gold medal against the District of Columbia on Thursday. 

They earned a spot in the gold match after defeating Kansas 6-0 on Wednesday where Wilson had an assist. 

“Charlie had a great dribble for Jonathan’s goal, and then I said, ‘Charlie, I bet you wish you would have scored, but it honestly feels better to assist,’” coach William Lengacher said. “I’ve always said assisting feels better, and so I love to get to do that.”

Fellow ROD Special Olympic athlete Isaac Kramer and coordinator Greg Townsend are also in Minnesota rooting along Team Indiana.