SMITHTOWN, NY - From Special Olympics Rhode Island: Special Olympics Rhode Island is honored to announce our delegation of athletes and unified partners competing in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle on July 1 - 6, is comprised of 21 athletes, 6 unified partners, 7 coaches, 2 high school youth leaders and a law enforcement torch run member. Team Rhode Island will depart for Seattle from TF Green Airport on Saturday, June 30th and return on Saturday, July 7th.
The USA Games take place every four years with previous host cities being: Ames, Iowa (2006); Lincoln, Nebraska (2010) and Lawrenceville, New Jersey (2014). Now , in its fourth running, the next Special Olympics USA Games will be taking place in Seattle in July. From July 1 - 6, more than 4000 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will descend upon Seattle and the surrounding region.
4 sports will be offered, almost 10,000 volunteers will be recruited to support the Games, over 10,000 family members and friends and 70,000 spectators are expected to attend.
Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Venues include the University of Washington, King County Aquatic Center, Seattle University and Celebration Park. The Special Olympics USA Games will be the biggest sporting event to hit Seattle in more than 25 years.
In addition to showcasing the awe-inspiring abilities of thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities, the 2018 USA Games in Seattle will model the ideals of inclusion and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Special Olympics movement.
Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Meet Team Rhode Island
Head of Delegation:
Casie Rhodes- East Greenwich, RI
Asst.Head of Delegation:
Chris Hopkins- Cranston, RI
Medical:
Greg Jones - Cumberland, RI
LETR Final Leg:
Retired Chief Bill Ziehl- Coventry, RI
Swimming
Coach: Stacy Lynch - Douglas, MA
Athletes:
Ryan Fleming- Lincoln, RI
North Infante- Westerly, RI
Emily Miller- Saunderstown, RI
Rachel Rasnick- Barrington, RI
Athletics
Coach: Sue Carlson- Lincoln, RI
Athletes:
Nicholas Caprio- Cranston, RI
Kelsey Kriner- Newport, RI
Antonio Piccirillo- Johnston, RI
Marina Temple- Bristol, RI
Unified Bowling
Coach: Megan Leonard- Newport, RI
Athlete:
Kayla Delehanty- Newport, RI
Unified Partner:
Crista DiSano - Seekonk, MA
Golf
Coach: Alan Lussier- Warwick, RI
Athletes:
Chris Lussier- Warwick, RI
Joe Siravo- Pawtucket, RI
Keith Wilcox- Cranston, RI
Unified Partner:
Paul Lonczak- Narragansett, RI
Powerlifting
Coach: Joe Patrick - Wakefield, RI
Athletes:
Stephenie Kane- Middletown, RI
Norm Marsh- Jamestown, RI
Andy Tabachini- Narragansett, RI
Unified Champions Schools Basketball Team
Coach: Zachary Pinto - Providence, RI
Asst.Coach: Clarence "Duke" Suthers - North Kingstown, RI
Athletes:
Raymond Arcillares- Providence, RI
Christopher Cotto - Providence, RI
Charles Fontes - Providence, RI
Cassiana Fuller - North Providence, RI
Maurice Johnson - Providence, RI
Jaylayah Murray - Providence, RI
Unified Partners:
Moises Flores - Providence, RI
Cazzimaria Johnson - Providence, RI
Luis Nolasco - Providence, RI
Matthew Osinaga - Providence, RI
Unified Champion Schools -Youth Leadership Experience
UCS Coordinator: Stephanie Beaudette - Johnston, RI
Athlete: Brady Pendergast - North Smithfield, RI
Unified Partner: Peter Marchand - North Smithfield, RI
Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Rhode Island