USA + world games
2026 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES – TEAM DELAWARE
The Special Olympics USA Games will be the largest sporting event in 2026, bringing together more than 3,000 athletes, 1,400 coaches and 10,000 volunteers to compete in a variety of sports from June 20-26, 2026, in Minnesota.
Team Delaware consists of more than 58 members competing in 7 sports – Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Softball, Swimming and Tennis. Although we will be competing in different sports, we make up one team – TEAM DELAWARE.
2026 USA GAMES – TEAM DELAWARE
President & CEO: David Halley
Head of Delegation: Ben LoPresto
Asst. Head of Delegation: Cheryl Talmo
Communications Coordinator: Ray Colletti
Family Liaison: Samantha Gardner
Healthy Athlete/Fitness Coordinator: Lisa Miller
Medical Coordinator: Sarah Robinson
Delegation Support/AS: Lt. Andrew “Ski” Krzanowski
Delegation Support/AS: Lisa Smith
UNIFIED SOFTBALL
Head Coach: Autumn Gentry
Ass’t Coaches: Eric Ketterer & Antonio Haigler
Athletes: Nicholas Godwin, Jon Kroger, Frank Krumenacker, Ashley Ohmott, Joey Rigney, Austin Sligh, Jere’ Taylor-Andrews, Jonathan Touchet
Unified Partners: Joe Cichocki, Jr., Matt Dennis, Jeff Gary, Danta Haigler, Owen Mathias, TJ Stewart, Taylor Swain
BOCCE
Coach: Pam Cannon
Ikea Glover
Maura Gane
Charles Fox
Edward Joyner
BOWLING
Coach: Ryan Bradford
Tessa Aeschleman
Donna Walton
Jordan Little
Brandon Thompson
YOUTH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Mentor: Tammy Nemeth
Athlete: Emily Nguyen
Unified partner: Madison Myers
UCS BASKETBALL
SODE Liaison: Nikki Mowbray
Head Coach: Jamaal Bivens
Ass’t Coach: Loriann Sentman
Team Support: Michael Williams
Athletes: Brayden Bennetch, Kyle Bennetch, Ke’Niya Mitchell, Colin Sheridan, Katelyn Taylor
Unified Partners: Maggie Bare, Cole Lingo, Luke Williams, Jackson Woodock
SWIMMING
Coach: Stacey Battles
Christina Lake
Brenna Vendrick
Patrick Callow
Christopher Sapara
TENNIS
Coach: Jill Wallace
Sherees’e Smith
Malik Bradford
TRACK AND FIELD
Coach: Kylie Lavelle
DeShawn Hamilton
DeLonte Hamilton
Christian Partlow
Coltin Sligh
2025 WORLD GAMES IN TURIN, ITALY
Christi Theron, a dedicated athlete from the Wilmington Wizards, was selected to join Team USA for the 2025 World Winter Games! Her commitment and hard work have been truly inspiring, and it was a pleasure to watch her represent both our state and our nation.
LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
2025 WORLD GAMES TORCH RUN PARTICIPANTS
Final Leg Runner – Captain Kristopher Thompson, Delaware State Police
Team Leader – Major Pete Sawyer, Delaware State Police & LESO State Director
Route Leader – Captain Daniel (Danny) Hall, Delaware State Police (retired)
Special Olympics Delaware extends its heartfelt thanks to our dedicated officers for their unwavering commitment and support. As they carry the Flame of Hope across Italy, they illuminate the path to acceptance and inclusion for our exceptional athletes. Your dedication is inspiring, making a significant difference in the lives of so many.
Connect
With Us!
Special Olympics Delaware
619 South College Ave.
Newark, Delaware 19716
302.831.4653 / info@sode.org