East Texas Area Athletes and Coach to Represent Team Texas at Special Olympics U.S.A. National Games

In one week, Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) – East Texas area athletes, Jessica Clopp of Pollok and Alexander "Brent" Arnold of Mabank, and Coach William Arnold of Mabank, will arrive in 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.

Clopp and the Arnolds are among 152 Texas athletes and 39 coaches representing Texas at National Games. SOTX athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, basketball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, flag football, tennis and volleyball. Clopp will compete in gymnastics and Arnold will compete in bowling, coached by his father. They will depart for Omaha from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on an 8:40 a.m. flight on July 17. They'll meet up at the American Airlines ticket gate for check-in at 6:50 a.m.

Complete bios, updates and results on Team Texas athletes are available online at 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.

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.

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