East Texas Area Athletes to Compete in Special Olympics U.S.A. National Games Next Month

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) – East Texas area athletes, Jessica Clopp of Pollok and Alexander "Brent" Arnold of Mabank, are heading to Lincoln, Nebraska for the 2010 U.S.A. National Games! The Games will be held on and near the University of Nebraska at Lincoln campus, July 18-23. SOTX athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, basketball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, flag football, tennis and volleyball.

Among the more than 3,000 competitors from throughout the nation are 152 Special Olympics Texas athletes, including Clopp and Arnold from the East Texas area, who will represent Team Texas. Clopp will compete in gymnastics and Arnold will compete in bowling.

Twenty-year-old Clopp competed in the 2007 World Games in Shanghai, China, earning three fifth place ribbons and two gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics. She was named the 2008 Athlete of the Year in the East Texas area. In addition to these accomplishments, she was honored to perform her gymnastics routine at the TJ Maxx Tour of Champions in 2004. Clopp loves animals, especially her puppies and horse. Clopp enjoys attending church, helping with the family business, camping, fishing and babysitting her nephew.

Twenty-one year-old Arnold is looking forward to his first time on an airplane. In addition to bowling, he competes in athletics, basketball, bocce and equestrian events. Arnold's parents said that Special Olympics has increased his socialization skills and given him self confidence. Arnold hopes to strike down the competition in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Updates and results on the Texas athletes will be available online at www.specialolympicstexas.org.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for 36,311 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Lone Star State. Be a part of the movement that is CHANGING LIVES in your community. For more information, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org.

About the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games
The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska will showcase and celebrate the Special Olympics movement and athletes from across the United States, while illustrating the power of sports to educate and inform about the true abilities and achievements of people with intellectual disabilities. From July 18-23, 2010, nearly 3,000 athletes will compete in 13 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 15,000 family and friends. In addition to sports, the USA National Games will offer various programs in health, wellness and education. To learn more, visit www.2010specialolympics.org

Co-Sponsors:
Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Texas, Food Town, H-E-B Tournament of Champions
Charitable Trust and the Law Enforcement Torch Run

Ramonica Jones
Public Relations Coordinator
Special Olympics Texas
rjones@sotx.org