September 24, 2014 | Updated: January 29, 2019

By Steve Helm

For the last four years, Brittany Wirkman has participated in Special Olympics through Allen High School. The Greater Dallas area athlete competes in aquatics, volleyball and basketball.

Of those three, Wirkman has found her niche in swimming. Earlier this year, she competed in four events at USA Games in New Jersey and won two medals. Wirkman won the gold in the 50-meter backsdtroke and a silver medal in the 50-meter free style. She came within striking distance of two more medals, as she placed fourth in the 100-meter freestyle and in the 4x50-meter freestyle relay. 

Wirkman has made several new friends and has developed close relationships through taking part in Special Olympics.

In addition to swimming, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, riding her bike, babysitting and volunteering at Kids Club and St. Jude Nursery.

Wirkman’s parents, Cindy and Alan, have given countless hours of their time to SOTX as volunteers for Allen Special Olympics. Cindy is also a SOTX certified coach for basketball and volleyball.