MEDIA CONTACT:

Steve Helm – Public Relations Coordinator, Special Olympics Texas

800.876.5646, ext. 2925 (office); 267.421.3911 (cell – media only); shelm@sotx.org

AUSTIN, Texas – The state of Texas will be well-represented on Team USA at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles (July 25 – Aug. 2, 2015). In total, 14 athletes, four head coaches, two coaches, a Unified Partner and a technical delegate from the Lone Star State will help comprise Team USA. Fifteen participants, including the Richardson Roadrunners’ women’s basketball team, hail from the Greater Dallas Area (Area 10), four make their way from the Greater Houston Area (Area 4), while the other three come from the Gulf Coast Area (Area 22). [See complete list below]

The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will feature 25 Olympic-style sports, consisting of 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches from 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators.

Stay up-to-date on all news regarding SOTX’s participants on Team USA at www.sotx.org. For more information on the upcoming Special Olympics World Games, visit www.la2015.org.

 Women’s Basketball

Jennifer Hall (Richardson, Texas)

Elizabeth Harber (Dallas, Texas)

Leigh Anne Landrum (Richardson, Texas)

Kristen Lyons (Richardson, Texas)

Leanne Owen (Dallas, Texas)

Kara Plumbeck (Richardson, Texas)

Andrea Stewart (Garland, Texas)

Kimberly Terry (Garland, Texas)

Kim Vo (Murphy, Texas)

Carissa Younkin (Richardson, Texas)

Marti Bishop – coach (Dallas, Texas)

Betsy Owen – coach (Dallas, Texas)

Steve Scobee – head coach (Dallas, Texas)

Athletics - Distance Running

Ashley Billard (Houston, Texas)

Kayaking

Matthew Hernandez (Dallas, Texas)

Bruce Litton - head coach (Tomball, Texas)

Sailing

Steve Comen - coach (Plano, Texas)

Jessie Kuykendall (League City, Texas)

Bobby Lord (Webster, Texas)

Angelina Litton - Unified Partner (Tomball, Texas)

Jack Yoes - technical delegate (Houston, Texas)

Cycling

Sara Hencke - head coach (Cleburne, Texas)

Golf

Casey Dickerson - coach (Elgin, Texas)

Alan Hirshman - head coach (Houston, Texas)

About Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015)

With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games - being staged in Los Angeles July 25 - August 2, 2015 - will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. On April 30, 2014, LA2015 and ESPN announced a global programming deal that will see ESPN bring coverage of World Games to millions of fans around the world.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 51,300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.

Co-Sponsors:
Coca-Cola Refreshments, H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust,

Food Town, Walmart and the Law Enforcement Torch Run

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